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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 19, 2020

Registration No. 333-

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

British Columbia   2834   98-1428279

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Suite 310 - 815 W. Hastings Street,

Vancouver, B.C. V6C 1B4

Canada

(604) 669-7207

(Address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Registered Agent Solutions, Inc.

1100 H Street NW

Suite 840

Washington, DC 20005

(888) 705-7274

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Hector MacKay-Dunn, Q.C.

Farris LLP

2500-700 West Georgia Street

Vancouver, BC V7Y 1B3

Canada

(604) 684-9151

 

Daniel M. Miller

Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Suite 1070 - 1095 W. Pender Street

Vancouver, BC V6E 2M6
Canada

(604) 630-5199

 

Robert F. Charron

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10105

(212) 370-1300

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, check the following box.  ☐

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large Accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☒

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

 

Proposed

Maximum
Aggregate

Offering Price(1)(2)

  Amount of
Registration Fee

Common Shares, without par value

  $12,000,000.00   $1,557.60

 

 

(1)

Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, the common shares registered hereby also include an indeterminate number of additional common shares as may from time to time become issuable by reason of stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations or other similar transactions.

(2)

Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended

 

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state or other jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 19, 2020

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

     Shares

LOGO

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Common Shares

 

 

We are offering      common shares. Our common shares are currently quoted under the symbol “IMLFF” on the OTCQX® Best Markets, and under the symbol “IN” on the Toronto Stock Exchange, or “TSX”. We have applied to list our common shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “INM.” The successful listing of our common shares on the Nasdaq is a condition of this offering. We are an “emerging growth company” as defined by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 and, as such, we have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements for this prospectus and future filings.

Investing in our common shares involves a high degree of risk. Please read “Risk Factors” beginning on page 12 of this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

     Price to Public      Underwriting
Discounts and
Commissions(1)
     Proceeds to InMed
Pharmaceuticals Inc.
 

Per Share

   $                    $                    $                        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total

   $                    $                    $                        

 

(1)

Does not include our obligation to reimburse the underwriter for its expenses in an amount not to exceed $75,000. We refer you to “Underwriting” beginning on page      of this prospectus for information regarding expenses reimbursable by us to the underwriter.

Certain of our existing investors, including      , have indicated an interest in purchasing up to an aggregate of approximately $     in our common shares in this offering at the initial public offering price. However, because indications of interest are not binding agreements or commitments to purchase, these entities may determine to not purchase any shares in this offering. It is also possible that these entities could indicate an interest in purchasing more common shares. In addition, the underwriter could determine to sell fewer common shares to any of these entities than such entities indicate an interest in purchasing or to not sell any shares to these entities.

Delivery of the common shares is expected to be made on or about     , 2020. We have granted the underwriter an option for a period of 45 days to purchase up to an additional      common shares. If the underwriter exercise the option in full, the total underwriting discounts and commissions payable by us will be $    , and the total proceeds to us, before expenses, will be $     .

 

 

Sole Book-Running Manager

 

Roth Capital Partners

Prospectus dated                , 2020.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS AND EXCHANGE RATES

     1  

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     2  

RISK FACTORS

     12  

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     44  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     47  

DIVIDEND POLICY

     48  

CAPITALIZATION

     49  

DILUTION

     51  

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

     53  

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     54  

BUSINESS

     67  

REGULATORY OVERVIEW

     114  

MANAGEMENT

     124  

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     129  

NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

     135  

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     138  

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

     139  

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

     141  

MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

     143  

UNDERWRITING

     151  

LEGAL MATTERS

     154  

EXPERTS

     154  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     154  

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     F-1  

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

     F-3  

PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

     II-1  

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS AND EXCHANGE RATES

Neither we nor the underwriter has authorized anyone to provide you with information different from, or in addition to, that contained in this prospectus or any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we may have referred you in connection with this offering. We take no responsibility for and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. Neither we nor the underwriter is making an offer to sell or seeking offers to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where, or to any person to whom, the offer or sale is not permitted. The information in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of our common shares and the information in any free writing prospectus that we may provide you in connection with this offering is accurate only as of the date of that free writing prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and future growth prospects may have changed since those dates.

Through and including      , 2020 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This delivery requirement is in addition to a dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

We obtained the industry, market and competitive position data in this prospectus from our own internal estimates and research as well as from industry and general publications and research surveys and studies conducted by third parties. This information involves many assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to these estimates. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the data contained in these industry publications and reports. The industry in which we operate is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in “Risk Factors,” that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in these publications and reports

This prospectus contains references to our trademark and to trademarks belonging to other entities. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this prospectus, including logos, artwork and other visual displays, may appear without the ® or symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and trade names. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names or trademarks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies.

In order to qualify for listing on Nasdaq, we have applied to the TSX to effect a share consolidation, and the substitutional listing of the post-consolidation common shares, pursuant to which we will consolidate our issued and outstanding common shares at a share consolidation ratio of one post-consolidation common share for every 33 pre-consolidation common shares of InMed, or “Proposed Share Consolidation.” Except as noted, information contained in this prospectus does not gives effect to our proposed share consolidation.

Unless otherwise indicated, references in this prospectus to “$”, “dollars”, “USD” or “United States dollars” are to United States dollars. Canadian dollars are referred as “Canadian dollars” or “C$”.

The high, low and closing rates for Canadian dollars in terms of the United States dollar for each of the periods indicated, as quoted by the Bank of Canada, were as follows:

 

     Nine Months Ended
March 31
     Year Ended June 30  
     2020      2019      2019      2018  

High for period

   C$ 1.4496      C$ 1.3642      C$ 1.3642      C$ 1.3310  

Low for period

   C$ 1.2970      C$ 1.2803      C$ 1.2803      C$ 1.2128  

Rate at end of period

   C$ 1.4187      C$ 1.3363      C$ 1.3087      C$ 1.3168  

On March 31, 2020, the Bank of Canada daily rate of exchange was U.S.$1.00 = C$ 1.4187 or C$1.00 = U.S.$0.7049.

On June 18, 2020, the Bank of Canada daily rate of exchange was U.S.$1.00 = C$1.3589 or C$1.00 = U.S.$0.7359.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained in other parts of this prospectus. Because it is only a summary, it does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in shares of our common shares and it is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. Investing in our common shares involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, together with all of the other information in this prospectus, including our financial statements and related notes, before investing in our common shares. If any of the following risks materialize, our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects could be materially and adversely affected. In that event, the price of our common shares could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment.

Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used in this prospectus, the terms “InMed,” “InMed Pharmaceuticals,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “our company” and “our business” refer to InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Our Company

Overview

We are a clinical stage pharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of cannabinoid-based prescription drug products targeting treatments for diseases with high unmet medical needs in a range of disease categories including dermatology and ocular diseases, among others. We work exclusively with non-plant-derived (synthetically manufactured), highly purified individual cannabinoid compounds. In parallel to our therapeutic programs, we are developing an integrated cannabinoid manufacturing technology to facilitate access to rare cannabinoids that are otherwise not available at commercial scale and low cost. Our goal is to be a leader in bringing cannabinoid-based therapies to patients who may benefit from them. To accomplish this goal, we have assembled a highly skilled group of individuals with extensive experience in all facets of pharmaceutical research and development, drug formulation, clinical trial execution, regulatory submissions, pharmaceutical commercialization, company and capital formation, business development, legal, and corporate governance. We are focused on bringing strict scientific discipline to the field of cannabinoid medicine to unlock the full potential of this class of drugs.

We are developing an integrated cannabinoid manufacturing system for pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids, as well as multiple cannabinoid-based medications that target diseases with high unmet medical needs (collectively, “Product Candidates”). Our active pharmaceutical ingredients, or “APIs”, which are the ingredients that give medicines their effects, are synthetically made and, therefore, we have no direct contact with the actual Cannabis plant at any point in our research and development activities. We do not grow nor utilize Cannabis nor its extracts in any of our products; our products are applied topically (not inhaled nor ingested); and, we do not utilize tetrahydrocannabinol, or “THC”, nor cannabidiol, or “CBD”, the most common cannabinoid compounds that are typically extracted from the Cannabis plant, in any of our products. The API under development for our initial two product candidates, INM-755 for Epidermolysis Bullosa, or “EB” and INM-088 for glaucoma, is a rare cannabinoid named cannabinol, or “CBN”. While the development of a cannabinoid manufacturing technology is one element of our business plan, the success of our current and potential clinical development programs is not contingent upon the success of our manufacturing technology, as we currently have identified multiple third-party sources of our target cannabinoid, CBN, at pharmaceutical grade. Should we elect to rely on internally produced API for either our clinical trials or, in the event of any

 

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regulatory approval of our drug products, for any commercialized products, we will need to scale up our cannabinoid manufacturing system. There is no guarantee that we will be successful in scaling up our manufacturing process for cannabinoids, successfully complete any required bridging studies from external to internal API, or be able to successfully transfer our manufacturing process to a contract development and manufacturing organization, or “CDMO”. Additional uses of both INM-755 and INM-088 are being explored, as well as the application of additional rare cannabinoids to treat diseases.

This table summarizes the status of our therapeutic drug development programs:

    

LOGO

We believe we are positioned to develop multiple product candidates in diseases which may benefit from medicines based on rare cannabinoid compounds. Most current cannabinoid therapies are based specifically on CBD and/or THC and are often delivered orally, which has limitations and drawbacks, such as side effects (including the psychoactive effects of THC). Currently, we intend to deliver our rare cannabinoid pharmaceuticals through various topical formulations (cream for dermatology, eye drops for ocular diseases) as a way of seeking to minimize systemic exposure and any related unwanted systemic side effects, including any drug-drug interactions and any metabolism of the active pharmaceutical ingredient by the liver. This approach enables the treatment of the specific disease at the site of the disease, leading to negligible exposure of the drug to the rest of the body. We do not extract our rare cannabinoids from the Cannabis plant, but instead source purified, chemically identical compounds manufactured via non-extraction approaches such as chemical synthesis and biosynthesis.

 

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Our Drug Development Programs

Rationale for Use of CBN in Pharmaceutical Drug Development

CBN is one of several rare cannabinoids naturally produced in the Cannabis plant, albeit at significantly lower levels relative to the more commonly known THC and CBD. Despite their common origin, different cannabinoids have been observed to have distinct physiological properties. We are specifically exploring these unique effects of CBN, as well as other rare cannabinoids, and their therapeutic potential to treat disease.

LOGO

Our extensive preclinical testing has identified several unique properties of CBN that outperformed both THC and CBD in various disease-related assays and models. CBN can act with higher potency when interacting with some receptor systems in the body, while acting with lower potency for others.

INM-755 in Dermatology

INM-755, our lead product candidate, is being developed as a topical skin cream formulation containing CBN for the treatment of symptoms related to EB, a rare genetic skin disease characterized by fragile skin that blisters easily from minimal friction that causes shearing of the skin layers. In these patients, the blisters become open wounds that do not heal well. Patients experience pain from the open wounds, particularly during wound dressing changes and bathing.

In addition to relief of symptoms, including inflammation, pain, and others, we believe INM-755 may impact the underlying disease by enhancing skin integrity in a subset of EB patients. We have completed more than 30 preclinical pharmacology and toxicology studies to investigate the effects of CBN. Several of these nonclinical studies explored the effect on important symptoms such as pain and inflammation. In in vitro pharmacology studies, CBN demonstrated activity in reducing markers of inflammation. CBN upregulated expression of a type of keratin called keratin 15, or “K15”, which might lead to skin strengthening and reduced blister formation in EB simplex, or “EBS”, patients with mutations in another keratin called keratin 14, or “K14”. The anti-inflammatory activity of CBN may be beneficial in healing chronic wounds caused by prolonged inflammation.

Following a review of our toxicology studies, the Netherlands National Competent Authority and Ethics Committee approved the initiation of a Phase I clinical development study in healthy volunteers. To date we have safety data with INM-755 in 22 healthy adult volunteers from our first Phase I study (755-101-HV) in which subjects had the INM-755 cream applied to their upper backs daily for 14 days. An interim safety analysis

 

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of the first 16 subjects was reviewed by the Netherlands National Competent Authority and Ethics Committee and determined to be adequate to allow intiation of the second Phase I study testing INM-755 cream on small wounds.

A regulatory application to support our first Phase I clinical trial in healthy volunteers with INM-755 (755-101-HV) was submitted November 4, 2019 and approved December 6, 2019. The initial Phase I clinical trial evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of INM-755 cream in healthy volunteers with normal, intact skin; the volunteers had cream applied once daily for a period of 14 days. All subjects in this first clinical trial completed treatment and evaluations by March 27, 2020. A regulatory application was approved April 17, 2020, for a second Phase I clinical trial of healthy volunteers to test the local safety and tolerability of applying sterile INM-755 cream to small wounds once daily for 14 days. As with the initial Phase I trial, the second clinical trial (755-102-HV) will be conducted with two different drug concentrations and a vehicle control. The safety of INM-755 will continue to be assessed throughout its clinical development.

Assuming that data from the two Phase I clinical trials in healthy volunteers demonstrated that INM-755 is well tolerated, the next step will be to study INM-755 in patients with EB (Study 755-201-EB). Regulatory applications to support that global trial are planned for 4Q2020 and 1Q2021.

INM-088 for Ocular Diseases

CBN is also the active ingredient in our second drug candidate, INM-088, which is in preclinical studies as a potential treatment for glaucoma. We are conducting studies to test INM-088’s ability to provide neuroprotection and reduce intraocular pressure in the eye. We compared several cannabinoids, including CBD and THC, to determine which cannabinoid was the best drug candidate for the treatment of glaucoma. Of all the cannabinoids examined in our preclinical studies, CBN demonstrated the most optimal neuroprotection effect. Furthermore, CBN also exhibited intraocular pressure reduction capability. INM-088 is in advanced formulation development.

Current treatments for glaucoma primarily focus on decreasing fluid build-up in the eye. Our data has shown that INM-088 may provide neuroprotection in addition to modulating intraocular pressure by improving drainage of fluid in the eye. Thus far, we have conducted numerous preclinical pharmacology studies to demonstrate these effects.

Our Team

Our management team is comprised of highly experienced pharmaceutical and biotechnology executives with successful track records in researching, developing, gaining approval for and commercializing novel medicines to treat serious diseases. Each member of our management team has over 20 to 30 years of industry experience, including our CEO, CFO, and (Sr.) Vice Presidents of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs, of Preclinical Research and Development, and of Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls. These individuals have held leadership positions with industry leaders such as Abbott Laboratories, QLT Inc., Amgen, 3M, among others, and also with early stage biotechnology and emerging technology companies. While additional management capabilities may be required in the future in order to fully advance our pharmaceutical drugs towards submission of regulatory applications seeking commercial approval and, ultimately, commercialization, together, this team has covered the spectrum of pharmaceutical drug discovery, preclinical research, formulation development, manufacturing, human clinical trials, regulatory submissions and approval, and global commercialization. Additionally, the team has significant experience in company formation, capital raises, mergers/acquisitions, business development, and sales and marketing in the pharmaceutical industry. Our board of directors (the “Board”) is constituted by individuals with significant experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

 

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Our Strengths

We are the only clinical stage company with multiple drug candidates, in multiple therapeutic categories, that also is developing an integrated biosynthesis-based manufacturing capacity to meet the needs of the rapidly evolving pharmaceutical research of rare cannabinoids. Key strengths include:

Experienced executive team and board of directors with proven track records.

One key critical success factor in the field of pharmaceutical drug development is the experience and skill set of the individuals leading the company. We have been successful in attracting and retaining executives and directors with extensive (20+ years’) experience in all facets of the pharmaceutical industry, including fundamental research and development, drug formulation, clinical trial execution, regulatory submissions, pharmaceutical commercialization, company and capital formation, business development, legal, and corporate governance. Our leadership team is well-positioned to navigate all facets of drug development and into commercialization, either internally or externally via partnerships. It is this group of individuals that will help optimize our chances for success. Ultimately, for our programs to be successful, our Product Candidates must be shown to be safe and effective in the chosen indications, as determined by regulatory authorities, such as the FDA. We do not know whether the clinical trials we may conduct will demonstrate adequate efficacy and safety to result in regulatory approval to market any of our Product Candidates in any jurisdiction.

Integrated biosynthesis-based manufacturing system.

Extraction of rare cannabinoids from the plant is economically impractical for commercial applications. In parallel with our therapeutic drug development programs, we have been developing an integrative synthetic manufacturing approach to provide access to cost-effective rare cannabinoids at pharmaceutical quality. Our goal for this program has always been to achieve an efficient, scalable, flexible and economical solution to make cannabinoids that are bio-identical to those found in nature. Our optimization efforts have led to the development of IntegraSyn, an integrative manufacturing approach for producing competitively priced, pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids. We believe this approach has several advantages over other manufacturing methods.

Leading experts in the therapeutic potential of the rare cannabinoid CBN.

We have invested significant time and effort in understanding all characteristics and the therapeutic potential of our initial rare cannabinoid drug candidate, CBN. As such, we are considered to be a world leader in the pharmaceutical development of this cannabinoid. We anticipate CBN will be the first of several such drug candidates that we will explore for development.

Targeting pharmaceutical applications of rare cannabinoids to treat diseases with high unmet medical needs.

Significant investment in understanding the therapeutic potential of CBN has provided us with important insight as to how best develop this class of compounds for treating various diseases. We intend to apply this know-how across several disease that may benefit from cannabinoid-based medicines.

Diverse portfolio of patent applications covering a spectrum of commercial opportunities.

Success in pharmaceutical markets often rests with the strength of intellectual property, including patents, to protect commercialization interests. We have filed several patents on its novel findings and expect to continue to do so.

 

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Our Business Strategy

Our goal is to establish rare cannabinoid pharmaceutical products as important medicines for diseases with high unmet medical needs by pursuing the following strategies:

 

   

Advance INM-755 and INM-088 through preclinical and early clinical development, thereby establishing important human proof-of-concept in multiple therapeutic applications.

These activities are well underway, at various stages, for both INM-755 for diseases of the skin and INM-088 for diseases of the eye. Building upon preclinical data sets, we have the internal capabilities to design and execute, together with multiple external vendors, the preclinical data sets and clinical studies required to advance pharmaceutical drug candidates towards regulatory submission.

 

   

Establishing partnerships for our various technologies, at different stages of development, to expedite their path towards commercialization in a resource-efficient manner.

We do not currently have an organization for the sales, marketing and distribution of pharmaceutical products. With respect to the commercialization of each Product Candidate, we may rely on either i) a “go-it-alone” commercialization effort; ii) out-licensing to third parties; or, iii) co-promotion agreements with strategic collaborators for our Product Candidates. Any decision on a “go-it-alone” commercialization effort versus out-licensing to third parties will depend on various factors including, but not limited to, the complexity, the expertise required and related cost of building any such infrastructure for our Product Candidates. For INM-755 in EB, we could oversee the clinical trials, given the relatively small patient sizes expected for such trials, and build the requisite internal commercialization infrastructure to self-market the product to EB clinics, which are limited in number and provide direct access to the vast majority of EB patients. For INM-088 in glaucoma, because of the potentially large number of clinical trial participants (possibly several thousand) and the extensive sales effort required to reach a large number of prescribing physicians, we may consider exploring partnership opportunities early in the development process.

 

   

Develop a cost-efficient manufacturing process for high quality rare cannabinoids as APIs for our core internal drug candidate pipeline, for licensing opportunities of non-core drug candidates, as well as a potential source for cannabinoids in the non-pharmaceutical space.

We are developing an integrative cannabinoid synthesis approach designed to produce bio-identical, economical, pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids in a cost-efficient manner, called IntegraSynTM. The cannabinoids that will be produced with IntegraSynTM are targeted to be bio-identical to the naturally occurring cannabinoids. Our manufacturing approach is designed to offer superior yield, control, consistency and quality of rare cannabinoids when compared to alternative methods. IntegraSynTM may address the increasing pharmaceutical and other commercial demands for competitively priced cannabinoids while providing access to rare cannabinoids that are otherwise impractical to extract from the plant.

 

   

Continue to explore the potential of a wide array of rare cannabinoids to treat diseases based on our significant history in cannabinoid research and lead drug candidate identification.

Individual cannabinoids affect a range of different receptors in the human body, including, but not limited to, known endocannabinoid receptors. As such, they are responsible for a wide variety of pharmacological effects. However, due to the limited research into these varying effects, a full understanding of the role of each cannabinoid compound remains elusive. As a company, we have been formally investigating the utility of cannabinoids in treating disease for over 5 years.

At the core of our activities, we are a pharmaceutical drug development company focused on commercializing important cannabinoid-based medicines to treat diseases with high unmet medical needs. We have numerous options for commercializing our various technologies.

 

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Risks Related to Our Business

Our ability to implement our business strategy is subject to numerous risks that you should be aware of before making an investment decision. These risks are described more fully in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus. These risks include, among others:

 

   

We have no commercial revenues, have incurred significant losses since inception, may never become profitable, and will continue to incur substantial and increasing losses for the foreseeable future as we develop and seek regulatory approval for our products and technologies.

 

   

We will need to raise additional capital to fund operations in the future. If additional capital is not available, we will have to delay, reduce or cease operations. Such capital may be dilutive to our existing shareholders.

 

   

We are subject to regulatory approval processes that are lengthy, time consuming and unpredictable, and we may not obtain approval for our products from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) or foreign regulatory agencies.

 

   

To date, the FDA has not approved any marketing application for Cannabis for the treatment of any disease or condition and has approved only one Cannabis-derived and three Cannabis-related drug products.

 

   

Our prospects depend on the success of our Product Candidates which are at early stages of development with a statistically high probability of failure.

 

   

Even if we obtain regulatory approval, commercial success is uncertain.

 

   

Our product candidates may be subject to controlled substance regulations in some or all jurisdictions, which may negatively impact our business.

 

   

Our biosynthesis-based manufacturing program may prove unsuccessful in achieving yields and/or cost levels required to be economically competitive with alternative methods of manufacturing.

 

   

Our success is largely dependent upon intellectual property assets. We cannot be assured that any of our currently pending or future patent applications will result in granted patents, and we cannot predict how long it will take for such patents to issue, if at all. It is possible that, for any of our patents that may issue in the future, our competitors may design their products around our patents, that our patents may become subject to claims by third parties and that the cost of defending and maintaining the patents may be prohibitive.

 

   

We are highly dependent on our key personnel, and we may be unable to recruit and retain key such employees, including external contract research organizations, or “CROs”, third party manufacturers, and others.

 

   

As a Canadian company, certain matters may negatively impact your investment, including: certain Canadian laws that may delay or negate a change in control; investor’s tax implications if we are deemed to be a “passive foreign investment company’; investor’s ability to enforce judgements against executives/officers; and, we are significantly exposed to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, among others.

 

   

We expect to face intense competition, often from companies with greater resources and experience than we have.

 

   

There is a limited market for our securities and the market prices for our common shares and listed warrants are volatile and will fluctuate.

Corporate Information

We were incorporated in the Province of British Columbia on May 19, 1981, under the Business Corporations Act of British Columbia, or “BCBCA”, under the name Kadrey Energy Corporation. From our

 

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incorporation through to early 2014, we operated several businesses in different industrial sectors and underwent a number of corporate name changes. On May 10, 2014, we acquired Biogen Sciences Inc., a privately held British Columbia pharmaceutical company focused on drug discovery and development of cannabinoids. On October 6, 2014, we changed our name to “InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.” when we began to specialize in cannabinoid pharmaceutical product development. Our telephone number is (604) 669-7207. We have three subsidiaries, Biogen Sciences Inc., Sweetnam Consulting Inc., and InMed Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Our website address is https://www.inmedpharma.com. The information contained in or accessible from our website is not incorporated into this prospectus, and you should not consider it part of this prospectus. We have included our website address in this prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference.

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012. As such, we are eligible to take advantage of exemptions from various disclosure and reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to:

 

   

our exemption from the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;

 

   

being permitted to present only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in each case, instead of three years;

 

   

being permitted to present the same number of years of selected financial data as the years of audited financial statements presented, instead of five years;

 

   

reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation, including no Compensation Disclosure and Analysis;

 

   

our exemption from any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements; and

 

   

our exemption from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

We may take advantage of these exemptions for up to five years or such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We would cease to be an emerging growth company on the date that is the earliest of (i) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenues of $1.07 billion or more; (ii) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the completion of this offering; (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in nonconvertible debt during the previous three years; or (iv) the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the rules of the SEC. We may choose to take advantage of some but not all of these exemptions. We have taken advantage of reduced reporting requirements in this prospectus. Accordingly, the information contained herein may be different from the information you receive from other public companies in which you hold stock.

We have elected not to “opt out” of the exemption for the delayed adoption of certain accounting standards and, therefore, we will adopt new or revised accounting standards at the time private companies adopt the new or revised accounting standard and will do so until such time that we either (i) irrevocably elect to “opt out” of such extended transition period or (ii) no longer qualify as an emerging growth company.

 

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We are also a “smaller reporting company,” meaning that the market value of our common shares held by non-affiliates plus the proposed aggregate amount of gross proceeds to us as a result of this offering is less than $700 million and our annual revenue was less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year. We may continue to be a smaller reporting company after this offering if either (i) the market value of our common shares held by non-affiliates is less than $250 million or (ii) our annual revenue was less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of our common shares held by non-affiliates is less than $700 million. If we are a smaller reporting company at the time we cease to be an emerging growth company, we may continue to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are available to smaller reporting companies. Specifically, as a smaller reporting company we may choose to present only the two most recent fiscal years of audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and, similar to emerging growth companies, smaller reporting companies have reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation.

The Offering

 

Common shares offered by us                 shares.
Common shares to be outstanding after this offering                 shares (or              shares if the underwriter exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full).
Underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares    We have granted the underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to              additional common shares at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions on the same terms as set forth in this prospectus.
Use of proceeds    We estimate that the net proceeds to us from the sale of shares of our common shares in this offering will be approximately $             million, or $             million if the underwriter exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full, assuming an initial public offering price of $             per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering to to fund our ongoing research and development activities, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds.”
Proposed Nasdaq Capital Market symbol    “INM”
Risk factors    Investment in our common shares involves substantial risks. You should read this prospectus carefully, including the section entitled “Risk Factors” and the financial statements and the related notes to those statements included in this prospectus, before investing in our common shares.

The number of common shares to be outstanding after this offering is based on an aggregate of 172,283,633 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2020. The disclosure above does not include:

 

   

19,462,500 common shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options as of March 31, 2020, at a weighted average exercise price of $0.31 per share, of which 14,500,994 shares were vested as of such date;

 

   

17,717,641 common shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of March 31, 2020, at an exercise price of $0.87 per share; and

 

   

14,994,227 common shares reserved for future issuance under our stock option plan as of March 31, 2020, plus any future increases in the number of common shares reserved for issuance under our stock option plan pursuant to evergreen provisions.

 

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Summary Financial Data

 

       Years Ended
June 30,
     Nine Months Ended
March 31,
 
       2019      2018      2020      2019  
       (in thousands, except share and per share data)  

Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss Data

             

Operating expenses:

             

Research and development and patents

     $ 5,126      $ 1,934      $ 4,844      $ 3,080  

General and administrative

       4,297        6,056        2,661        3,274  

Amortization and depreciation

       119        118        86        89  

Total operating expenses

       9,542        8,108        7,591        6,443  

Interest income

       328        70        125        258  

Foreign exchange (loss) gain

       (34      —          143        14  

Net loss

       (9,248      (8,038      (7,323 )      (6,171

Foreign currency translation gain (loss)

       53        (233      (686      (254

Net loss and comprehensive loss

     $ (9,195    $ (8,271    $ (8,009    $ (6,425

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

     $ (0.05    $ (0.06    $ (0.04    $ (0.04

Weighted-average shares outstanding used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

       171,338,793        142,451,768        172,283,633        171,024,996  

Pro forma net loss per share, basic and
diluted

             

Weighted-average shares outstanding used in computing pro forma net loss per share, basic and diluted

             

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common shares involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider each of the following risks, together with all other information set forth in this prospectus, including the consolidated financial statements and the related notes, before making a decision to buy our common shares. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business could be harmed. In that case, the trading price of our common shares could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to our Securities

The market prices for our common shares and listed warrants are volatile and will fluctuate.

The market price for our common shares and listed warrants may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including the following: (i) actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly financial results; (ii) recommendations by securities research analysts; (iii) changes in the economic performance or market valuations of other issuers that investors deem comparable to ours; (iv) addition or departure of our executive officers or members of our Board and other key personnel; (v) release or expiration of lock-up or other transfer restrictions on outstanding common shares and listed warrants; (vi) sales or perceived sales of additional common shares and warrants; (vii) liquidity of the common shares and listed warrants; (viii) significant acquisitions or business combinations, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments by or involving us or our competitors; and (ix) news reports relating to trends, concerns, technological or competitive developments, regulatory changes and other related issues in our industry or target markets. Financial markets often experience significant price and volume fluctuations that affect the market prices of equity securities of public entities and that are, in many cases, unrelated to the operating performance, underlying asset values or prospects of such entities. Accordingly, the market price of our common shares and listed warrants may decline even if our operating results, underlying asset values or prospects have not changed. Additionally, these factors, as well as other related factors, may cause decreases in asset values that are deemed to be other than temporary, which may result in impairment losses. As well, certain institutional investors may base their investment decisions on consideration of our environmental, governance and social practices and performance against such institutions’ respective investment guidelines and criteria, and failure to meet such criteria may result in limited or no investment in our common shares and listed warrants by those institutions, which could materially adversely affect the trading price of our common shares and listed warrants. There can be no assurance that continuing fluctuations in price and volume will not occur. If such increased levels of volatility and market turmoil continue for a protracted period of time, our operations could be materially adversely impacted and the trading price of our common shares and listed warrants may be materially adversely affected.

There is a limited market for our securities.

Our common shares and listed warrants are listed on the TSX and our common shares are currently quoted on the OTCQX® Best Market. We have applied to list our common shares on Nasdaq. The successful listing of our common shares on the Nasdaq is a condition of this offering. However, there can be no assurance that Nasdaq will approve our listing application, or that an active and liquid market for the common shares will develop or be maintained on the applicable stock exchanges, and an investor may find it difficult to resell any of our securities.

Raising additional capital may cause dilution to our existing shareholders, restrict our operations or require us to relinquish rights to our technologies or Product Candidates.

We may seek additional capital through a combination of private and public equity offerings, debt financings, strategic partnerships and alliances and licensing arrangements. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, existing ownership interests will be diluted and the terms of such financings may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of

 

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existing shareholders. Debt financings may be coupled with an equity component, such as warrants to purchase shares, which could also result in dilution of our existing shareholders’ ownership. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased fixed payment obligations and could also result in certain restrictive covenants, such as limitations on our ability to incur additional debt, limitations on our ability to acquire or license intellectual property rights and other operating restrictions that could adversely impact our ability to conduct our business and may result in liens being placed on our assets and intellectual property. If we were to default on such indebtedness, we could lose such assets and intellectual property. If we raise additional funds through strategic partnerships and alliances and licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our Product Candidates or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us.

Future offerings of debt or equity securities may rank senior to common shares.

If we decide to issue debt or equity securities in the future ranking senior to our common shares or otherwise incur additional indebtedness, it is possible that these securities or indebtedness will be governed by an indenture or other instrument containing covenants restricting our operating flexibility and limiting our ability to pay dividends to shareholders. Additionally, any convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future may have rights, preferences and privileges, including with respect to dividends, more favorable than those of common shares and may result in dilution to shareholders. Because our decision to issue debt or equity securities in any future offering or otherwise incur indebtedness will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings or financings, any of which could reduce the market price of our common shares and dilute their value.

Common shareholders are subordinated to our lenders.

In the event of bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization, any holders of our debt and our trade creditors will generally be entitled to payment of their claims from our assets before any assets are made available for distribution to us or our shareholders. The common shares are effectively subordinated to our debt and other obligations. As of the date of this document, we do not have any debt obligations.

Future sales of common shares by officers and directors may negatively impact the market price for our common shares.

Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, our directors and officers and their affiliates may sell some or all of their common shares in the future. No prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, such future sales of common shares may have on the market price of the common shares prevailing from time to time. However, the future sale of a substantial number of common shares by our directors and officers and their affiliates, or the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common shares.

We have additional securities in the form of warrants.

Our listed warrants, issued on June 21, 2018 and expiring on June 21, 2020, are listed on the TSX. The liquidity of the trading market in our listed warrants and the sale price, if any, for such listed warrants, may be adversely affected by, among other things: changes in the overall market for the listed warrants; changes in our financial performance or prospects; changes or perceived changes in our creditworthiness; the prospects for companies in the industry generally; and the number of holders of the listed warrants.

The remainder of our outstanding share purchase warrants are not listed on any exchange, and we do not intend to list these unlisted warrants on any exchange. Investors may be unable to sell our unlisted warrants at the prices desired or at all. There is no existing trading market for our unlisted warrants and there can be no assurance that a liquid market will develop or be maintained for such unlisted warrants, or that an investor will be able to sell any of such unlisted warrants at a particular time (if at all). The liquidity of the trading market in our

 

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unlisted warrants and the sale price, if any, for such unlisted warrants, may be adversely affected by, among other things: changes in the overall market for the unlisted warrants; changes in our financial performance or prospects; changes or perceived changes in our creditworthiness; the prospects for companies in the industry generally; the number of holders of the unlisted warrants; and the interest of securities dealers in making a market for the unlisted warrants.

We do not currently pay dividends on our common shares and have no intention to pay dividends on our common shares for the foreseeable future.

No dividends on our common shares have been paid by us to date. We do not intend to declare or pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of our Board, after taking into account a multitude of factors appropriate in the circumstances, including our operating results, financial condition and current and anticipated cash needs. In addition, the terms of any future debt or credit facility may preclude us from paying any dividends unless certain consents are obtained and certain conditions are met.

Investors in our securities may face adverse tax consequences. In particular, we may be considered a “passive foreign investment company” which may have adverse United States federal income tax consequences for United States shareholders.

Prospective investors should be aware that the purchase of any of our securities may have tax consequences in the United States, Canada and other jurisdictions. Prospective investors should consult with their own independent tax advisor before purchasing any of our securities.

In particular, investors in our common shares who are subject to United States federal taxation should be aware that we believe we may be classified as a passive foreign investment company, or “PFIC”, during the tax year ended June 30, 2019, and based on the nature of our business, the projected composition of our gross income and the projected composition and estimated fair market value of our assets, we may be classified as a PFIC for the current tax year ending June 30, 2020 and may be a PFIC in subsequent tax years. If we are a PFIC for any year during a United States shareholder’s holding period, then such United States shareholder generally will be required to treat any gain realized upon a disposition of common shares, or any so-called “excess distribution” received on our common shares, as ordinary income, and to pay an interest charge on a portion of such gain or distributions, unless the shareholder makes a timely and effective “qualified electing fund” election, or a QEF election, or a “mark-to-market” election with respect to the common shares. A United States shareholder who makes a QEF election generally must report on a current basis its share of our net capital gain and ordinary earnings for any year in which we are a PFIC, whether or not we distribute any amounts to our shareholders. A United States shareholder who makes the mark-to-market election generally must include as ordinary income each year the excess of the fair market value of the common shares over the taxpayer’s basis therein. The foregoing is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed discussion of the PFIC rules below in “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations – Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.” Each United States shareholder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the United States federal, United States local, and foreign tax consequences of the PFIC rules and the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of our common shares.

We are exposed to risks related to currency exchange rates.

We currently hold most of our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments in Canadian dollars which is our functional currency. Over time a greater portion of our operations may be conducted in U.S. dollars. Because our financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, changes in currency exchange rates have had and could have a significant effect on our operating results. Exchange rate fluctuations between other currencies and the Canadian dollar create risk in several ways, including the following:

 

   

weakening of the Canadian dollar may decrease the value of our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments when translated to U.S. dollars in our financial statements;

 

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weakening of the Canadian dollar may reduce the U.S. dollar value of funds that we will have available for an increasing amount of research and development expenses incurred outside Canada and the cost of sourced product components from outside Canada;

 

   

weakening of the U.S. dollar may decrease the value of our revenues denominated in other currencies;

 

   

the exchange rates on non-U.S. dollar transactions and cash deposits can distort our financial results; and

 

   

commercial product pricing and profit margins are affected by currency fluctuations.

For as long as we are an “emerging growth company” we intend to take advantage of reduced disclosure and governance requirements applicable to emerging growth companies, which could result in our common shares being less attractive to investors and could make it more difficult for us to raise capital as and when we need it.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and we have taken advantage, and intend to continue to take advantage, of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

Investors may find our common shares less attractive because we rely on these exemptions, which could contribute to a less active trading market for our common shares or volatility in our share price. In addition, we may be less attractive to investors and it may be difficult for us to raise additional capital as and when we need it. Investors may be unable to compare our business with other companies in our industry if they believe that our financial accounting is not as transparent as other companies in our industry. If we are unable to raise additional capital as and when we need it, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

We may take advantage of these reporting exemptions until we are no longer an emerging growth company.

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting in the future, we may not be able to accurately report our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, which may adversely affect investor confidence in us and, as a result, the value of our common shares.

We will be required, under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, to furnish a report by management on, among other things, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. This assessment includes disclosure of any material weaknesses identified by our management in our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting that results in more than a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act also generally requires an attestation from our independent registered public accounting firm on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. However, for as long as we remain an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act, we intend to take advantage of the exemption permitting us not to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement.

Our compliance with Section 404 will require that we incur substantial accounting expense and expend significant management efforts. We may not be able to complete our evaluation, testing and any required

 

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remediation in a timely fashion. During the evaluation and testing process, if we identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we will be unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective. We cannot assure you that there will not be material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting in the future. Any failure to maintain internal control over financial reporting could severely inhibit our ability to accurately report our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. This may expose us, including individual executives, to potential liability which could significantly affect our business. If we are unable to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm determines we have a material weakness or significant deficiency in our internal control over financial reporting once that firm begins its Section 404 reviews, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, the market price of our common shares could decline, and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the TSX, Nasdaq, the SEC, or other regulatory authorities. Failure to remedy any material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, or to implement or maintain other effective control systems required of public companies, could also restrict our future access to the capital markets.

Our disclosure controls and procedures may not prevent or detect all errors or acts of fraud.

Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to reasonably assure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to management, recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. We believe that any disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.

These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people or by an unauthorized override of the controls. Accordingly, because of the inherent limitations in our control system, misstatements or insufficient disclosures due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

Deficiencies in disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting could result in a material misstatement in our financial statements.

We could be adversely affected if there are deficiencies in our disclosure controls and procedures or in our internal controls over financial reporting. The design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent all errors, misstatements or misrepresentations. Consistent with other entities in similar stages of development, we have a limited number of employees currently in the accounting group, limiting our ability to provide for segregation of duties and secondary review. A lack of resources in the accounting group could lead to material misstatements resulting from undetected errors occurring from an individual performing primarily all areas of accounting with limited secondary review. Deficiencies in internal controls over financial reporting which may occur could result in material misstatements of our results of operations, restatements of financial statements, other required remediations, a decline in the price of our common shares or listed warrants, or otherwise materially adversely affect our business, reputation, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.

In connection with the audit of our financial statements as of and for the years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting were identified and we may identify additional material weaknesses in the future.

In connection with the preparation and audits of our financial statements as of and for the years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, material weaknesses (as defined under the Exchange Act and by the auditing standards of the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or “PCAOB”, were identified in our internal control

 

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over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The identified material weaknesses arose from a lack of resources in our finance function that resulted in an overstatement of the valuation of warrants issued as part of a financing.

In light of the identified material weaknesses, it is possible that, had we performed a formal assessment of our internal control over financial reporting or had our independent registered public accounting firm performed an audit of our internal control over financial reporting in accordance with PCAOB standards, additional control deficiencies may have been identified.

We have begun taking measures, and plan to continue to take measures, to remediate these material weaknesses. However, the implementation of these measures may not fully address these material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, and, if so, we would not be able to conclude that they have been fully remedied. Our failure to correct these material weaknesses or our failure to discover and address any other control deficiencies could result in inaccuracies in our financial statements and could also impair our ability to comply with applicable financial reporting requirements and make related regulatory filings on a timely basis. As a result, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the trading price of our common shares, may be materially and adversely affected.

We have incurred, and will continue to incur, increased costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management has been required, and will continue to be required, to devote substantial time to new compliance initiatives.

As a public company, we have incurred and are continuing to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses and these expenses may increase even more after we are no longer an “emerging growth company.” In the United States, upon the effectiveness of this registration statement we will become subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules adopted, and to be adopted, by the SEC and, when our common shares are listed on Nasdaq. Our management and other personnel devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives.

Moreover, these rules and regulations have substantially increased our legal and financial compliance costs and made some activities more time-consuming and costly. The increased costs have increased our net loss. These rules and regulations may make it more difficult and more expensive for us to maintain sufficient director’s and officer’s liability insurance coverage. We cannot predict or estimate the amount or timing of additional costs we may continue to incur to respond to these requirements. The ongoing impact of these requirements could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our Board, our Board committees or as executive officers.

Future sales and issuances of our common shares or rights to purchase common shares pursuant to our equity incentive plan could result in additional dilution of the percentage ownership of our shareholders and may cause our share price to fall.

We expect that significant additional capital will be needed in the future to continue our planned operations. To raise capital, we may sell substantial amounts of common shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for common shares. These future issuances of common shares or common share-related securities, together with the exercise of outstanding options and any additional shares issued in connection with acquisitions, if any, may result in material dilution to our investors. Such sales may also result in material dilution to our existing shareholders, and new investors could gain rights, preferences and privileges senior to those of holders of our common shares.

 

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Pursuant to our 2017 Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan, our compensation committee is authorized to grant equity-based incentive awards in the form of options to purchase common shares to our directors, executive officers and other employees and service providers. As of March 31, 2020, there were 14,994,227 options to purchase common shares available for future grant under our stock option plan. Future equity incentive grants under our stock option plan may result in material dilution to our shareholders and may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common shares.

Provisions in our corporate charter documents and certain Canadian laws could delay or deter a change of control.

Provisions in our articles and our by-laws, as well as certain provisions under the BCBCA and applicable Canadian securities laws, may discourage, delay or prevent a merger, acquisition, tender offer or other change in control of us that some shareholders may consider favorable. In addition, because our Board is responsible for appointing the members of our management team, these provisions may frustrate or prevent any attempts by our shareholders to replace or remove our current management by making it more difficult for shareholders to replace members of our Board. As well, our preferred shares are available for issuance from time to time at the discretion of our Board, without shareholder approval. Our articles allow our Board, without shareholder approval, to determine the special rights to be attached to our preferred shares, and such rights may be superior to those of our common shares.

In addition, limitations on the ability to acquire and hold our common shares may be imposed by the Competition Act in Canada. This legislation permits the Commissioner of Competition of Canada, or “Commissioner”, to review any acquisition of a significant interest in us. This legislation grants the Commissioner jurisdiction to challenge such an acquisition before the Canadian Competition Tribunal if the Commissioner believes that it would, or would be likely to, result in a substantial lessening or prevention of competition in any market in Canada. The Investment Canada Act subjects an acquisition of control of a company by a non-Canadian to government review if the value of our assets, as calculated pursuant to the legislation, exceeds a threshold amount. A reviewable acquisition may not proceed unless the relevant minister is satisfied that the investment is likely to result in a net benefit to Canada. Any of the foregoing could prevent or delay a change of control and may deprive or limit strategic opportunities for our shareholders to sell their shares.

If securities or industry analysts publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our share price and trading volume may decline.

The trading market for our common shares depends in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our shares or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our shares price may decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our shares may decrease, which may cause our shares price and trading volume to decline.

We are incorporated in Canada, with our assets and officers primarily located in Canada, with the result that it may be difficult for investors to enforce judgments obtained against us or some of our officers.

We are a company organized and existing under the laws of British Columbia, Canada. Many of our directors and officers and the experts named in this registration statement are residents of Canada or otherwise reside outside the United States, and all or a substantial portion of their assets, and a substantial portion of our assets, are located outside the United States. It may be difficult for holders of common shares who reside in the United States to effect service within the United States upon those directors, officers and experts who are not residents of the United States. It may also be difficult for holders of securities who reside in the United States to realize in the United States upon judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon our civil liability and the civil liability of our directors, officers and experts under the U.S. federal securities laws. Our Canadian counsel has advised us that there is doubt as to the enforceability in Canada against us or against our directors,

 

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officers and experts who are not residents of the United States, in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of courts of the United States, of liabilities predicated solely upon U.S. federal or state securities laws.

Conversely, some of our directors and officers reside outside Canada and some of our assets are also located outside Canada. Therefore, it may not be possible for you to enforce in Canada against our assets or those directors and officers residing outside Canada, judgments obtained in Canadian courts based upon the civil liability provisions of the Canadian securities laws or other laws of Canada.

Risks Related to our Financial Position and Capital Needs

We have incurred significant losses since our inception and anticipate that we will continue to incur losses in the future.

Since our inception as a pharmaceutical company in October 2014, we have devoted substantially all of our resources to the development of our proprietary Product Candidates. We have generated significant operating losses since our inception with an accumulated deficit to March 31, 2020 of approximately $63.0 million. Our comprehensive losses for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 were approximately $9.2 million and $8.3 million, respectively. For the nine-month period ending March 31, 2020, we had a comprehensive loss of $8.0 million. Substantially all of our losses have resulted from expenses incurred in connection with our research and development programs and from general and administrative costs associated with our operations.

We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and operating losses for the foreseeable future. We anticipate these losses will increase as we continue the research and development of, and clinical trials for, our Product Candidates. In addition to budgeted expenses, we may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other unknown factors that may adversely affect our business. If our Product Candidates fail in preclinical or clinical trials, or do not gain regulatory approval, or even if approved, fail to achieve market acceptance, we may never become profitable. Even if we achieve profitability in the future, we may not be able to sustain profitability in subsequent periods.

Due to our limited operating history and history of losses, any predictions about our future success, performance or viability may not be accurate.

We will require additional capital to fund our operations and if we fail to obtain necessary financing, we will not be able to complete the development and commercialization of our Product Candidates.

Our operations have consumed substantial amounts of cash since inception. We expect to continue to spend substantial and increasing amounts to conduct further research and development, preclinical testing and clinical trials of our Product Candidates, to seek regulatory approvals and reimbursement for our Product Candidates and to launch and commercialize any Product Candidates for which we receive regulatory approval.

As at March 31, 2020, we had approximately $7.0 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, which we currently estimate funds our base operations until approximately into the third quarter of calendar 2021. Included in our base operations are overheads, the completion of the remaining INM-755 Phase I Study 755-101-HV clinical trial reports, completion of the second Phase I clinical trial, Study 755-102-HV, certain formulation and early preclinical development work for INM-088, and further scale-up of the biosynthesis program. Our ability to develop our research and development programs beyond these specific activities, which are expected to be substantially completed by the end of our current fiscal year, is subject to accessing additional capital, including through the sale of equity, partnership revenues, and out-licensing activities. There is no assurance that we will be successful in these efforts.

The progress of our Product Candidates for both current and prospective target indication(s) is uncertain because it is difficult to predict our spending for our Product Candidates up to the time that we seek

 

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FDA approval due to numerous factors, including, without limitation, the rate of progress of clinical trials, the results of preclinical studies and clinical trials for such indication, the costs and timing of seeking and obtaining FDA and other regulatory approvals for clinical trials and FDA guidance regarding clinical trials for such indication. Moreover, changing circumstances may cause us to expend cash significantly faster than we currently anticipate, and we may need to spend more cash than currently expected because of circumstances beyond our control. For these reasons, we are unable to state unequivocally the actual funds we will require for development and any approved marketing and commercialization activities. Our future funding requirements, both near and long-term, will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to:

 

   

the initiation, progress, timing, costs and results of preclinical studies and clinical trials for our Product Candidates;

 

   

any change in the clinical development plans or target indications for these Product Candidates;

 

   

the number and characteristics of Product Candidates that we develop or may in-license;

 

   

the terms of any collaboration agreements we may choose to execute;

 

   

the outcome, timing and cost of meeting regulatory requirements established by the Drug Enforcement Administration, or “DEA”, the FDA, the European Medicines Agency, or “EMA”, Health Canada, or “HC”, or other comparable foreign regulatory authorities;

 

   

the cost of filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing our patent claims and other intellectual property rights;

 

   

the cost of defending intellectual property disputes, including patent infringement actions brought by third parties against us;

 

   

the effect of competing product and market developments;

 

   

the costs and timing of the implementation of commercial scale manufacturing activities; and

 

   

the cost of establishing, or outsourcing, sales, marketing and distribution capabilities for any Product Candidates for which we may receive regulatory approval in regions where we choose to commercialize our products on our own.

We cannot be certain that additional funding will be available on acceptable terms, or at all. If we are unable to raise additional capital in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to us, we may have to significantly delay, scale back or discontinue the development or commercialization of one or more of our Product Candidates or one or more of our other research and development initiatives.

Any doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern may materially and adversely affect the price of our common shares and warrants, and it may be more difficult for us to obtain financing. Any doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern may also adversely affect our relationships with current and future collaborators, contract manufacturers and investors, who may become concerned about our ability to meet our ongoing financial obligations. If potential collaborators decline to do business with us or potential investors decline to participate in any future financings due to such concerns, our ability to increase our financial resources may be limited. We have prepared our financial statements on a going concern basis, which assumes that we will be able to meet our commitments, realize our assets and discharge our liabilities in the normal course of business. Our consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustment to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

We currently have no commercial revenue and may never become profitable.

To date, the only revenue we have generated has been from the receipt of research grants and interest income on short-term investments. Our ability to generate revenue and become profitable depends upon our

 

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ability to obtain regulatory approval for, and successfully commercialize, our Product Candidates that we may develop, in-license or acquire in the future.

Even if we are able to successfully achieve regulatory approval for these Product Candidates, we do not know what the reimbursement status of our Product Candidates will be or when any of these products will generate revenue for us, if at all. We have not generated, and do not expect to generate, any product revenue for the foreseeable future, and we expect to continue to incur significant operating losses for the foreseeable future due to the cost of research and development, preclinical studies and clinical trials and the regulatory approval process for our Product Candidates. The amount of future losses is uncertain and will depend, in part, on the rate of growth of our expenses.

Our ability to generate revenue and become profitable depends upon a number of additional factors, including our ability to:

 

   

successfully complete development activities, including the remaining preclinical studies and ongoing and planned clinical trials for our Product Candidates;

 

   

in-license or acquire in the future, Product Candidates and other potential lines of business that we may develop;

 

   

complete and submit NDAs to the FDA and Marketing Authorization Applications, or “MAAs”, to the EMA, and obtain regulatory approval for indications for which there is a commercial market;

 

   

complete and submit applications to, and obtain regulatory approval from, other foreign regulatory authorities;

 

   

manufacture any approved products in commercial quantities and on commercially reasonable terms;

 

   

develop a commercial organization, or find suitable partners, to market, sell and distribute approved products in the markets in which we have retained commercialization rights;

 

   

achieve acceptance among patients, clinicians and advocacy groups for any products we develop;

 

   

obtain coverage and adequate reimbursement from third parties, including government payors; and

 

   

set a commercially viable price for any products for which we may receive approval.

We are unable to predict the timing or amount of increased expenses, or when or if we will be able to achieve or maintain profitability. Even if we are able to complete the processes described above, we anticipate incurring significant costs associated with commercializing our Product Candidates.

Changes in tax laws and unanticipated tax liabilities could adversely affect our effective income tax rate and ability to achieve profitability.

We are subject to income taxes in Canada. As our operations expand, we may become subject to income tax in jurisdictions outside of Canada. Our effective income tax rate in the future could be adversely affected by a number of factors including changes in the mix of earnings (losses) in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and changes in tax laws. We regularly assess all of these matters to determine the adequacy of our tax provision which is subject to discretion. If our assessments are incorrect, it could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition. There can be no assurance that income tax laws and administrative policies with respect to the income tax consequences generally applicable to us or to our subsidiaries will not be changed in a manner which adversely affects our shareholders.

 

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Our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes may be limited.

As of our last fiscal year end, we had non-capital loss, or “NOL”, carry-forwards of approximately $28.9 million available to offset future taxable income in Canada. These NOL carry-forwards begin to expire in 2026.

Our NOL carryforwards could expire unused and be unavailable to offset future income tax liabilities. Under provisions in the Canadian Income Tax Act, and corresponding provisions of Canadian provincial law, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” generally defined as a greater than 50% change, by value, the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change Canadian NOLs and other pre-change tax attributes, such as research and development tax credits, to offset its post-change income may be limited. Specifically, NOLs from a business before the change of control may be carried forward to taxation years after the change of control, but only if the same business is carried forward on after the change in control with a reasonable expectation of profit, and only to offset income from that business or a similar business. We have not performed any analyses under the applicable provisions in the Canadian Income Tax Act and cannot forecast or otherwise determine our ability to derive benefit from our various federal or provincial tax attribute carryforwards. As a result, if we earn net taxable income, our ability to use our pre-change NOL carryforwards to offset Canadian federal taxable income may be subject to limitations, which could potentially result in increased future tax liability to us. In addition, at the provincial level, there may be periods during which the use of NOLs is suspended or otherwise limited, which could accelerate or permanently increase provincial taxes owed.

In addition, we may experience ownership changes in the future as a result of subsequent shifts in our share ownership, including in any future offerings, some of which may be outside of our control. If we determine that an ownership change has occurred and our ability to use our NOL carryforwards is materially limited, it would harm our future operating results by effectively increasing our future tax obligations.

Changes to accounting standards may adversely impact the manner in which we report our financial position and operating results.

There are ongoing projects conducted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in the United States that are expected to result in new pronouncements that continue to evolve, which could adversely impact the manner in which we report our financial position and operating results.

Risks Related to our Business and Industry

Our IntegraSynTM manufacturing approach may prove unsuccessful in achieving yields and/or cost levels required to be economically competitive with alternative methods of manufacturing.

Given the early stage of development of the IntegraSynTM program and the risks inherent in research and development, it is too early to project the commercial viability of cannabinoids produced via this process. Potential negative outcomes from this program include but are not limited to:

 

   

the technology fails to produce sufficient quantities of cannabinoids or ones for which we or others have a need; or

 

   

the cost structure of the technology is such that it is not commercially competitive with alternate methods of cannabinoid manufacturing leading to the technology having no value proposition nor incremental value to the Company.

Our prospects depend on the success of our Product Candidates which are at early stages of development with a statistically high probability of failure.

Given the early stage of development, we can make no assurance that our research and development programs will result in regulatory approval or commercially viable products. To achieve profitable operations,

 

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we, alone or with others, must successfully develop, gain regulatory approval, and market our future products. We currently have no products that have been approved by the FDA, HC, or any similar regulatory authority. To obtain regulatory approvals for our Product Candidates being developed and to achieve commercial success, clinical trials must demonstrate that the Product Candidates are safe for human use and that they demonstrate efficacy. We have no products or technologies which are currently in human clinical trials. Additionally, we have no products for commercial sale or licensed for commercial sale, nor do we expect to have any such products for the next several years.

Many potential pharmaceuticals products never reach the stage of clinical testing and even those that do have only a small chance of successfully completing clinical development and gaining regulatory approval. Our Product Candidates may fail for a number of reasons, including, but not limited to, being unsafe for human use or due to the failure to provide therapeutic benefits equal to or better than the standard of treatment at the time of testing. Positive results of early preclinical research may not be indicative of the results that will be obtained in later stages of preclinical or clinical research. Similarly, positive results from early stage clinical trials may not be indicative of favorable outcomes in later-stage clinical trials. We can make no assurance that any future studies, if undertaken, will yield favorable results.

The early stage of our product development makes it particularly uncertain whether any of our product development efforts will prove to be successful and meet applicable regulatory requirements, and whether any of our Product Candidates will receive the requisite regulatory approvals, be capable of being manufactured at a reasonable cost or be successfully marketed. If we are successful in developing our current and future Product Candidates into approved products, we will still experience many potential obstacles, such as the need to develop or obtain manufacturing, marketing and distribution capabilities. If we are unable to successfully commercialize any of our products, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Even if our Product Candidates advance through preclinical studies and clinical trials, we may experience difficulties in managing our growth and expanding our operations.

We have limited resources to carry out objectives for our current and future preclinical studies and clinical trials. Since our inception as a pharmaceutical company in October 2014, we have conducted numerous preclinical experiments and are currently conducting early stage clinical trials, which is a time-consuming, expensive and uncertain process. In addition, while we have experienced management and expect to contract out many of the activities related to conducting these programs, we are a small company with less than 20 employees and therefore have limited internal resources both to conduct preclinical studies and clinical trials and to monitor third-party providers. As our Product Candidates advance through preclinical studies and clinical trials, we will need to expand our development, regulatory and manufacturing operations, either by expanding our internal capabilities or contracting with other organizations to provide these capabilities for us. In the future, we expect to have to manage additional relationships with collaborators or partners, suppliers and other organizations. Our ability to manage our operations and future growth will require us to continue to improve our operational, financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures.

If we have difficulty enrolling patients in clinical trials, the completion of the trials may be delayed or cancelled.

As our Product Candidates advance from preclinical testing to clinical testing, and then through progressively larger and more complex clinical trials, we will need to enroll an increasing number of patients that meet the eligibility criteria for those trials. The factors that affect our ability to enroll patients are largely uncontrollable and include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

   

size and nature of the patient population;

 

   

inclusion and exclusion criteria for the trial;

 

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design of the study protocol;

 

   

competition with other companies for clinical sites or patients;

 

   

the perceived risks and benefits of the product candidate under study;

 

   

the patient referral practices of physicians; and

 

   

the number, availability, location and accessibility of clinical trial sites.

As a result of the foregoing factors, we may have difficulty enrolling or maintaining the enrollment of patients in any clinical trials conducted for our products, which may result in the delay or cancellation of such trials. The delay or cancellation of any clinical trials could shorten any periods during which we may have the exclusive right to commercialize our Product Candidates or allow our competitors to bring products to market before us, which would impair our ability to successfully commercialize our Product Candidates and may harm our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

If clinical trials of our Product Candidates fail to demonstrate safety and efficacy to the satisfaction of regulatory authorities or do not otherwise produce positive results, we would incur additional costs or experience delays in completing, or ultimately be unable to complete, the development and commercialization of our Product Candidates.

Before obtaining marketing approval from regulatory authorities for the sale of our Product Candidates, we must conduct preclinical studies in animals and extensive clinical trials in humans to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the Product Candidates. Clinical testing is expensive and difficult to design and implement, can take many years to complete and has uncertain outcomes. The outcome of preclinical studies and early clinical trials may not predict the success of later clinical trials and interim results of a clinical trial do not necessarily predict final results. A number of companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have suffered significant setbacks in advanced clinical trials due to lack of efficacy or unacceptable safety profiles, notwithstanding promising results in earlier trials. We do not know whether the clinical trials we may conduct will demonstrate adequate efficacy and safety to result in regulatory approval to market any of our Product Candidates in any jurisdiction. A product candidate may fail for safety or efficacy reasons at any stage of the testing process. A major risk we face is the possibility that none of our Product Candidates under development will successfully gain market approval from the FDA or other regulatory authorities, resulting in us being unable to derive any commercial revenue from them after investing significant amounts of capital in multiple stages of preclinical and clinical testing.

If we experience delays in clinical testing, we will be delayed in commercializing our Product Candidates, and our business may be substantially harmed.

We cannot predict whether any clinical trials will begin as planned, will need to be restructured, or will be completed on schedule, or at all. Our product development costs will increase if we experience delays in clinical testing. Significant clinical trial delays could shorten any periods during which we may have the exclusive right to commercialize our Product Candidates or allow our competitors to bring products to market before us, which would impair our ability to successfully commercialize our Product Candidates and may harm our financial condition, results of operations and prospects. The commencement and completion of clinical trials for our products may be delayed for a number of reasons, including delays related, but not limited, to:

 

   

failure by regulatory authorities to grant permission to proceed or placing the clinical trial on hold;

 

   

import/export and research restrictions for cannabinoid-based pharmaceuticals may delay or prevent clinical trials in various geographical jurisdictions;

 

   

patients failing to enroll or remain in our trials at the rate we expect;

 

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suspension or termination of clinical trials by regulators for many reasons, including concerns about patient safety or failure of our contract manufacturers to comply with current good manufacturing practice, or “cGMP”, requirements;

 

   

any changes to our manufacturing process that may be necessary or desired;

 

   

delays or failure to obtain clinical supply from contract manufacturers of our products necessary to conduct clinical trials;

 

   

Product Candidates demonstrating a lack of safety or efficacy during clinical trials;

 

   

patients choosing an alternative treatment for the indications for which we are developing any of our Product Candidates or participating in competing clinical trials and/or scheduling conflicts with participating clinicians;

 

   

patients failing to complete clinical trials due to dissatisfaction with the treatment, side effects or other reasons;

 

   

reports of clinical testing on similar technologies and products raising safety and/or efficacy concerns;

 

   

clinical investigators not performing our clinical trials on their anticipated schedule, dropping out of a trial, or employing methods not consistent with the clinical trial protocol, regulatory requirements or other third parties not performing data collection and analysis in a timely or accurate manner;

 

   

failure of our CROs, to satisfy their contractual duties or meet expected deadlines;

 

   

inspections of clinical trial sites by regulatory authorities or Institutional Review Boards, or “IRBs”, or ethics committees finding regulatory violations that require us to undertake corrective action, resulting in suspension or termination of one or more sites or the imposition of a clinical hold on the entire study;

 

   

one or more IRBs or ethics committees rejecting, suspending or terminating the study at an investigational site, precluding enrollment of additional subjects, or withdrawing its approval of the trial; or

 

   

failure to reach agreement on acceptable terms with prospective clinical trial sites.

Our product development costs will increase if we experience delays in testing or approval or if we need to perform more or larger clinical trials than planned. Additionally, changes in regulatory requirements and policies may occur, and we may need to amend study protocols to reflect these changes. Amendments may require us to resubmit our study protocols to regulatory authorities or IRBs or ethics committees for re-examination, which may impact the cost, timing or successful completion of that trial. Delays or increased product development costs may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and prospects.

Negative results from clinical trials or studies of others and adverse safety events involving the targets of our products may have an adverse impact on our future commercialization efforts.

From time to time, studies or clinical trials on various aspects of pharmaceutical products are conducted by academic researchers, competitors or others. The results of these studies or trials, when published, may have a significant effect on the market for the pharmaceutical product that is the subject of the study. The publication of negative results of studies or clinical trials or adverse safety events related to our Product Candidates, or the therapeutic areas in which our Product Candidates compete, could adversely affect the price of our common shares and our ability to finance future development of our Product Candidates, and our business and financial results could be materially and adversely affected.

 

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We intend to expend our limited resources to pursue our Product Candidates for certain indications and may fail to capitalize on other Product Candidates or other indications for our Product Candidates that may be more profitable or for which there is a greater likelihood of success.

Because we have limited financial and managerial resources, we are focusing on research programs relating to our Product Candidates for certain indications, primarily for the treatment of EB, which concentrates the risk of product failure in the event our Product Candidates prove to be unsafe or ineffective or inadequate for clinical development or commercialization. As a result, we may forego or delay pursuit of opportunities with other Product Candidates or for other indications that could later prove to have greater commercial potential. We may also deem it advisable to refocus our clinical development programs based on clinical trial results.

The regulatory approval processes of the FDA, HC, the EMA and other comparable foreign regulatory authorities are lengthy, time-consuming and inherently unpredictable, and if we are ultimately unable to obtain regulatory approval for our Product Candidates, our business will be substantially harmed.

We are not permitted to market our Product Candidates in any jurisdiction until we receive formal approval from the appropriate regulatory authorities. For example, prior to submitting an NDA to the FDA or an MAA to the EMA for approval of our Product Candidates, we will need to complete our preclinical studies and clinical trials. Successfully completing our clinical program and obtaining approval of an application seeking commercialization approval is a complex, lengthy, expensive and uncertain process, and the regulatory authorities may delay, limit or deny approval of our Product Candidates for many reasons, including, among others, because:

 

   

we may not be able to demonstrate that our Product Candidates are safe and effective in treating patients to the satisfaction of the regulatory authorities such as the FDA, HC or EMA;

 

   

the results of our clinical trials may not meet the level of statistical or clinical significance required by the regulatory authorities for marketing approval;

 

   

the regulatory authorities may disagree with the number, design, size, conduct or implementation of our clinical trials;

 

   

the regulatory authorities may require that we conduct additional clinical trials;

 

   

the regulatory authorities or other applicable foreign regulatory authorities may not approve the formulation, labeling or specifications of our Product Candidates;

 

   

the contract manufacturing organizations and other contractors that we may retain to conduct our clinical trials may take actions outside of our control that materially adversely impact our clinical trials;

 

   

the regulatory authorities may find the data from clinical studies and clinical trials insufficient to demonstrate that our Product Candidates are safe and effective for their proposed indications;

 

   

the regulatory authorities may disagree with our interpretation of data from our preclinical studies and clinical trials;

 

   

the regulatory authorities may not accept data generated at our clinical trial sites or may disagree with us over whether to accept efficacy results from clinical trial sites outside the United States, Canada or outside the European Union, as applicable, where the standard of care is potentially different from that in the United States, Canada or in the European Union, as applicable;

 

   

if our applications are submitted to the regulatory authorities, the regulatory authorities may have difficulties scheduling the necessary review meetings in a timely manner, may recommend against approval of our application or may recommend or require, as a condition of approval, additional preclinical studies or clinical trials, limitations on approved labeling or distribution and use restrictions;

 

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the FDA may require development of a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy which would use risk minimization strategies to ensure that the benefits of certain prescription drugs outweigh their risks, as a condition of approval or post-approval, and the EMA may grant only conditional marketing authorization or impose specific obligations as a condition for marketing authorization, or may require us to conduct post-authorization safety studies;

 

   

the FDA, DEA, HC, EMA or other applicable foreign regulatory agencies may not approve the manufacturing processes or facilities of third-party manufacturers with which we contract or DEA or other applicable foreign regulatory agency quotas may limit the quantities of controlled substances available to our manufacturers; or

 

   

the FDA, HC, EMA or other applicable foreign regulatory agencies may change their approval policies or adopt new regulations.

In the United States, our activities are potentially subject to additional regulation by various federal, state and local authorities in addition to the FDA, including, among others, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, other divisions of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, or “HHS”, (for example, the Office of Inspector General), the Department of Justice, or “DOJ”, and individual United States Attorney offices within the DOJ, and state and local governments. Because of the breadth of these laws and the narrowness of available statutory and regulatory exemptions, it is possible that some of our business activities could be subject to challenge under one or more of such laws. If our operations are found to be in violation of any of the federal and state laws described above or any other governmental regulations that apply to us, we may be subject to penalties, including criminal and significant civil monetary penalties, damages, fines, imprisonment, exclusion from participation in government programs, injunctions, recall or seizure of products, total or partial suspension of production, denial or withdrawal of pre marketing product approvals, private “qui tam” actions brought by individual whistleblowers in the name of the government or refusal to allow us to enter into supply contracts, including government contracts, and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations, any of which could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our results of operations. To the extent that any of our products are sold in a foreign country, we may be subject to similar foreign laws and regulations, which may include, for instance, applicable post-marketing requirements, including safety surveillance, anti-fraud and abuse laws, and implementation of corporate compliance programs and reporting of payments or transfers of value to healthcare professionals.

Any of these factors, many of which are beyond our control, could increase development costs, jeopardize our ability to obtain regulatory approval for and successfully market our Product Candidates and generate product revenue.

We intend to conduct clinical trials for our Product Candidates in several international jurisdictions, and acceptance by all regulatory authorities for such “international” data is not certain.

We intend to conduct clinical trials for our Product Candidates both inside and outside the United States. Ultimately, we plan to submit NDAs for our Product Candidates to the FDA and other regulatory authorities upon completion of all requisite clinical trials. As an example, although the FDA may accept data from clinical trials conducted outside the United States, acceptance of such study data by the FDA is subject to certain conditions. For example, the clinical trial must be conducted in accordance with FDA regulations relating governing human subject protection and the conduct of clinical trials, which are referred to as “Good Clinical Practice”, or “GCP” requirements and the FDA must be able to validate the data from the clinical trial through an onsite inspection if it deems such inspection necessary. Where data from foreign clinical trials are intended to serve as the sole basis for marketing approval in the United States, the FDA will not approve the application on the basis of foreign data alone unless those data are considered applicable to the U.S. patient population and U.S. medical practice, the clinical trials were performed by clinical investigators of recognized competence, and the data is considered valid without the need for an on-site inspection by the FDA or, if the FDA considers such an inspection to be necessary, the FDA is able to validate the data through an on-site inspection or other appropriate

 

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means. In addition, such clinical trials would be subject to the applicable local laws of the foreign jurisdictions where the clinical trials are conducted. There can be no assurance the FDA or any other regulatory authorities will accept data from clinical trials conducted outside of the United States or other international jurisdiction. If the FDA or any other regulatory authorities does not accept any such data, it would likely result in the need for additional clinical trials, which would be costly and time-consuming and delay aspects of our development plan.

In addition, the conduct of clinical trials outside the United States could have a significant impact on us. Risks inherent in conducting international clinical trials include:

 

   

foreign regulatory requirements that could burden or limit our ability to conduct our clinical trials;

 

   

administrative burdens of conducting clinical trials under multiple foreign regulatory schema;

 

   

foreign currency fluctuations which could negatively impact our financial condition since certain payments are paid in local currencies;

 

   

manufacturing, customs, shipment and storage requirements;

 

   

cultural differences in medical practice and clinical research; and

 

   

diminished protection of intellectual property in some countries.

Our Product Candidates contain compounds that may be classified as “controlled substances”, the use of which may generate public controversy and restrict their development or commercialization.

If a drug has a potential for abuse, the NDA or other regulatory submission must include a description and analysis of studies or information related to abuse of the drug, including a proposal for scheduling (for example, in the U.S. under the federal Controlled Substances Act, or “CSA”). A description of any studies related to overdosage is also required, including information on dialysis, antidotes, or other treatments, if known. While we believe there would be relatively minimal abuse potential with our Product Candidates given the low drug concentration and topical route of administration, we could be wrong or they may be perceived as having the potential for substance abuse. In either case, there may be a negative effect on our ability to successfully develop or commercialize our Product Candidates. Since our Product Candidates contain purified substances that are chemically identical to those occurring in nature, they may, therefore, be classified as “controlled substances”, and their regulatory approval may generate public controversy. Political and social pressures and adverse publicity could lead to delays in approval of, and increased expenses for, our Product Candidates. These pressures could also limit or restrict the introduction and marketing of our Product Candidates. Adverse publicity from Cannabis misuse or adverse side effects from Cannabis or other cannabinoid products may adversely affect the commercial success or market penetration achievable for our Product Candidates. The nature of our business attracts a high level of public and media interest, and in the event of any resultant adverse publicity, our reputation may be harmed. Furthermore, if our Product Candidates are classified as “controlled substances”, they may be subject to import/export and research restrictions that could delay or prevent the development of our products in various geographical jurisdictions. The successful commercialization of our Product Candidates may require permits or approvals from regulatory bodies, such as the DEA, that regulate controlled substances.

Research restrictions, product shipment delays or prohibitions could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Research on and the shipment, import and export of our Product Candidates and the API used in our Product Candidates will require research permits, import and export licenses by many different authorities. For instance, in the United States, the FDA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the DEA; in Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency, and HC; in Europe, the EMA and the European Commission; in Australia and New Zealand, the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Device Safety Authority and the New Zealand Customs Service; and in other countries, similar regulatory authorities, regulate the research on and import and export of pharmaceutical

 

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products that contain controlled substances. Specifically, the import and export process requires the issuance of import and export licenses by the relevant controlled substance authority in both the importing and exporting country. We may not be granted, or if granted, maintain, such licenses from the authorities in certain countries. Even if we obtain the relevant licenses, shipments of API and our Product Candidates may be held up in transit, which could cause significant delays and may lead to product batches being stored outside required temperature ranges. Inappropriate storage may damage the product shipment resulting in delays in clinical trials or, upon commercialization, a partial or total loss of revenue from one or more shipments of API or our Product Candidates. Once shipment is complete, we or the research contractors we are working with may also suffer further delays or restrictions as a result of regulations governing research on cannabinoids. A delay in a clinical trial or, upon commercialization, a partial or total loss of revenue from one or more shipments of API or our Product Candidates could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. The aforementioned examples and lists of various authorities that may currently, or in the future, affect our ability to conduct research on or import or export our Product Candidates and/or API, should not be construed as exhaustive or comprehensive in any way.

Healthcare legislation, including potentially unfavorable pricing regulations or other healthcare reform initiatives, may increase the difficulty and cost for us to obtain marketing approval of and commercialize our Product Candidates.

Particularly in the United States but also in other jurisdictions, there have been a number of legislative and regulatory changes and proposed changes regarding the healthcare system that could prevent or delay marketing approval of our Product Candidates, restrict or regulate post-approval activities or affect our ability to profitably sell any Product Candidates for which we obtain marketing approval. One such regulation is the U.S. federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148), or “PPACA”, also referred to as the “Affordable Care Act” or “ACA”, was signed March 23, 2010, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, signed March 31, 2010. The act contains many provisions, with various effective dates. Provisions included in the ACA are intended to expand access to insurance, increase consumer protections, emphasize prevention and wellness, improve quality and system performance, expand the health workforce, and curb rising health care costs. The ACA aims to extend health insurance coverage to about 32 million uninsured Americans by expanding both private and public insurance.

We expect that the Affordable Care Act, as well as other healthcare reform measures that have been and may be adopted in the future, may result in more rigorous coverage criteria, new payment methodologies and in additional downward pressure on the price that we receive for any approved product, and could seriously harm our future revenue. Any reduction in reimbursement from Medicare or other government programs may result in a similar reduction in payments from private payors. The implementation of cost containment measures or other healthcare reforms may compromise our ability to generate revenue, attain profitability or commercialize our products.

Increased scrutiny on drug pricing or changes in pricing regulations could restrict the amount that we are able to charge for our Product Candidates, which could adversely affect our revenue and results of operations.

Drug pricing by pharmaceutical companies is currently under increased scrutiny and is expected to continue to be the subject of intense political and public debate in the United States and other jurisdictions. Specifically, there have been several recent U.S. Congressional inquiries and hearings with respect to pharmaceutical drug pricing practices, including in connection with the investigation of specific price increases by several pharmaceutical companies. Additionally, several states have recently passed laws designed to, among other things, bring more transparency to drug pricing, and other states may pursue similar initiatives in the future. We cannot predict the extent to which our business may be affected by these or other potential future legislative or regulatory developments. However, increased scrutiny on drug pricing, negative publicity related to the pricing of pharmaceutical drugs generally, or changes in pricing regulations could restrict the amount that we are able to charge for our Product Candidates, which could have a material adverse effect on our revenue and results of operations.

 

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Even if we are able to commercialize our Product Candidates, they may not receive coverage and adequate reimbursement from third-party payors, which could harm our business.

The availability of reimbursement by governmental and private payors is essential for most patients to be able to afford their treatments. Sales of our Product Candidates, if approved, will depend substantially on the extent to which the costs of these Product Candidates will be paid by health maintenance, managed care, pharmacy benefit and similar healthcare management organizations, or reimbursed by government health administration authorities, private health coverage insurers and other third-party payors. If reimbursement is not available, or is available only to limited levels, we may not be able to successfully commercialize our Product Candidates. Even if coverage is provided, the approved reimbursement amount may not be high enough to allow us to establish or maintain pricing sufficient to realize a sufficient return on our investment.

In the United States, the Medicare Modernization Act, established the Medicare Part D program and provided authority for limiting the number of drugs that will be covered in any therapeutic class thereunder. The Medicare Modernization Act, including its cost reduction initiatives, could decrease the coverage available for any of our approved products. Furthermore, private payors often follow Medicare in setting their own coverage policies. Therefore, any reduction in coverage that results from the Medicare Modernization Act may result in a similar reduction from private payors.

There is significant uncertainty related to the insurance coverage and reimbursement of newly approved products. In the United States, the principal decisions about reimbursement for new medicines are typically made by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or “CMS”, an agency within the HHS, as CMS decides whether and to what extent a new medicine will be covered and reimbursed under Medicare. Private payors tend to follow CMS to a substantial degree.

The intended use of a drug product by a physician can also affect pricing. For example, CMS could initiate a National Coverage Determination administrative procedure, by which the agency determines which uses of a therapeutic product would and would not be reimbursable under Medicare. This determination process can be lengthy, thereby creating a long period during which the future reimbursement for a particular product may be uncertain.

Outside the United States, particularly in EU Member States, the pricing of prescription drugs is subject to governmental control. In these countries, pricing negotiations or the successful completion of Health Technology Assessment, or “HTA”, procedures with governmental authorities can take considerable time after receipt of marketing authorization for a product. In addition, there can be considerable pressure by governments and other stakeholders on prices and reimbursement levels, including as part of cost containment measures. Certain countries allow companies to fix their own prices for medicines but monitor and control company profits. Political, economic and regulatory developments may further complicate pricing negotiations, and pricing negotiations may continue after reimbursement has been obtained. Reference pricing used by various EU Member States and parallel distribution, or arbitrage between low-priced and high-priced EU member states, can further reduce net realized prices. In some countries, we or our collaborators may be required to conduct a clinical trial or other studies that compare the cost-effectiveness of our Product Candidates to other available therapies in order to obtain or maintain reimbursement or pricing approval. Publication of discounts by third-party payors or authorities may lead to further pressure on the prices or reimbursement levels within the country of publication and other countries. If reimbursement of any product candidate approved for marketing is unavailable or limited in scope or amount, or if pricing is set at unsatisfactory levels, our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects could be adversely affected.

 

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Our relationships with customers and third-party payors will be subject to applicable anti-kickback, fraud and abuse, federal exclusion or debarment, and other healthcare laws and regulations, which could expose us to criminal sanctions, civil penalties, contractual damages, reputational harm and diminished profits and future earnings.

Healthcare providers, physicians and third-party payors play a primary role in the recommendation and prescription of any Product Candidates for which we obtain marketing approval. Our future arrangements with third-party payors and customers may expose us to broadly applicable fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and regulations that may constrain the business or financial arrangements and relationships through which we market, sell and distribute our products for which we obtain marketing approval. As a pharmaceutical company, even though we do not and will not control referrals of healthcare services or bill directly to Medicare, Medicaid or other third-party payors, certain federal and state healthcare laws and regulations pertaining to fraud and abuse and patients’ rights are and will be applicable to our business. Restrictions under applicable federal and state healthcare laws and regulations that may affect our ability to operate include the following:

 

   

the U.S. federal healthcare Anti-Kickback Statute impacts our marketing practices, educational programs, pricing policies and relationships with healthcare providers or other entities, by prohibiting, among other things, persons from knowingly and willfully soliciting, offering, receiving or providing remuneration, directly or indirectly, in cash or in kind, to induce or reward, or in return for, either the referral of an individual for, or the purchase, order or recommendation of, any good or service, for which payment may be made under a federal healthcare program such as Medicare and Medicaid;

 

   

federal civil and criminal false claims laws and civil monetary penalty laws impose criminal and civil penalties, including through civil whistleblower or qui tam actions, against individuals or entities for, among other things, knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, false or fraudulent claims for payment of government funds (including through reimbursement by Medicare or Medicaid or other federal health care programs), which has been applied to impermissible promotion of pharmaceutical products for off-label uses, or making a false statement or record to avoid, decrease or conceal an obligation to pay money to the federal government;

 

   

the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or “HIPPA”, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, or “HITECH Act”, among other things, imposes criminal and civil liability for executing a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program and also prohibits knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing or covering up a material fact or making any materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or representation, or making or using any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or entry in connection with the delivery of or payment for healthcare benefits, items or services;

 

   

the U.S. federal Physician Payment Sunshine Act, being implemented as the Open Payments Program, requires applicable manufacturers of covered drugs, devices, biologics and medical supplies to report annually to HHS information related to payments and other transfers of value to physicians and teaching hospitals, and ownership and investment interests held by physicians and their immediate family members;

 

   

analogous state laws and regulations, such as state anti-kickback laws, false claims laws and privacy and security of health information laws, may apply to sales or marketing arrangements, claims involving healthcare items or services reimbursed by non-governmental third-party payors, including private insurers, or health information; and

 

   

certain state laws require pharmaceutical companies to adopt codes of conduct consistent with the pharmaceutical industry’s voluntary compliance guidelines and the relevant compliance guidance promulgated by the federal government; restrict certain marketing-related activities including the

 

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provision of gifts, meals, or other items to certain health care providers; and/or require drug manufacturers to report information related to payments and other transfers of value to physicians and certain other healthcare providers or marketing expenditures.

Comparable laws and regulations exist in the countries within the European Economic Area, or “EEA”. Although such laws are partially based upon European Union, or “EU”, law, they may vary from country to country. Healthcare specific, as well as general EU and national laws, regulations and industry codes constrain, for example, our interactions with government officials and healthcare professionals, and the collection and processing of personal health data. Non-compliance with any of these laws or regulations could lead to criminal or civil liability.

Efforts to ensure that our business arrangements with third parties will comply with applicable healthcare laws and regulations will involve substantial costs. It is possible that governmental authorities will conclude that our business practices may not comply with current or future statutes, regulations or case law involving applicable fraud and abuse or other healthcare laws and regulations. If our operations are found to be in violation of any of these laws or any other governmental regulations that may apply to us, we may be subject to significant civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, fines, imprisonment, exclusion from government funded healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations. If any physicians or other healthcare providers or entities with whom we expect to do business are found to not be in compliance with applicable laws, they may be subject to criminal, civil or administrative sanctions, including exclusions from government funded healthcare programs.

Failure to comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or “FCPA”, the Canadian Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act, or “CFPOA”, and other global anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws could subject us to penalties and other adverse consequences

The FCPA and the CFPOA, as well as any other applicable domestic or foreign anti-corruption or anti-bribery laws to which we are or may become subject generally prohibit corporations and individuals from engaging in certain activities to obtain or retain business or to influence a person working in an official capacity and requires companies to maintain accurate books and records and internal controls, including at foreign-controlled subsidiaries. It is illegal to pay, offer to pay or authorize the payment of anything of value to any foreign government official, government staff member, political party or political candidate in an attempt to obtain or retain business or to otherwise influence a person working in an official capacity.

Compliance with these anti-corruption laws and anti-bribery laws may be expensive and difficult, particularly in countries in which corruption is a recognized problem. In addition, these laws present particular challenges in the pharmaceutical industry, because, in many countries, hospitals are operated by the government, and physicians and other hospital employees are considered to be foreign officials. Certain payments by other companies to hospitals in connection with clinical trials and other work have been deemed to be improper payments to governmental officials and have led to FCPA enforcement actions.

Our internal control policies and procedures may not protect us from reckless or negligent acts committed by our employees, future distributors, licensees or agents. We are currently working to get policies and processes in place to monitor compliance with the FCPA and CFPOA. We can make no assurance that they will not engage in prohibited conduct, and we may be held liable for their acts under applicable anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws. Noncompliance with these laws could subject us to investigations, sanctions, settlements, prosecution, other enforcement actions, disgorgement of profits, significant fines, damages, other civil and criminal penalties or injunctions, suspension or debarment from contracting with certain persons, the loss of export privileges, whistleblower complaints, reputational harm, adverse media coverage, and other collateral consequences. Any investigations, actions or sanctions or other previously mentioned harm could have a material negative effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

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Recent federal legislation and actions by state and local governments may permit reimportation of drugs from/to foreign countries where the drugs are sold at lower prices than in the country of origination, which could materially adversely affect our business and financial condition.

We may face competition for our Product Candidates, if approved, from cheaper generics and/or cannabinoid therapies sourced from foreign countries that have placed price controls on pharmaceutical products. This is referred to as parallel importation. For instance, the Medicare Modernization Act contains provisions that may change U.S. importation laws and expand pharmacists’ and wholesalers’ ability to import cheaper versions of an approved drug and competing products from Canada, where there are government price controls. These changes to U.S. importation laws will not take effect unless and until the Secretary of HHS certifies that the changes will pose no additional risk to the public’s health and safety and will result in a significant reduction in the cost of products to consumers. The Secretary of HHS has so far declined to approve a reimportation plan. Proponents of drug reimportation, including certain state legislatures, may attempt to pass legislation that would directly allow reimportation under certain circumstances. Legislation or regulations allowing the reimportation of drugs, if enacted, could decrease the price we receive for any products that we may develop, including our Product Candidates, and adversely affect our future revenues and prospects for profitability.

We are dependent upon our key personnel to achieve our business objectives.

We depend on key personnel, the loss of any of whom could harm our business. Our future performance and development will depend to a significant extent on the efforts and abilities of its executive officers, key employees, and consultants. The loss of the services of one or more of these individuals could harm our business. Our success will depend largely on our continuing ability to attract, develop and retain skilled employees and consultants in our business. Because of the specialized scientific and managerial nature of our business, we rely heavily on our ability to attract and retain qualified scientific, technical and managerial personnel. The competition for qualified personnel in our field is intense. Due to this intense competition, we may be unable to continue to attract and retain qualified personnel necessary for the development of our business or to recruit suitable replacement personnel. Any delay in replacing such persons, or an inability to replace them with persons of similar expertise, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our employees may engage in misconduct or other improper activities, including noncompliance with regulatory standards and requirements, which could subject us to significant liability and harm our reputation.

We are exposed to the risk of employee fraud or other misconduct. Misconduct by employees could include intentional failures to comply with regulations of domestic or foreign regulatory authorities. In addition, misconduct by employees could include intentional failures to comply with certain development standards, to report financial information or data accurately, or to disclose unauthorized activities to us. Employee misconduct could also involve the improper use of information obtained in the course of clinical trials, which could result in regulatory sanctions and serious harm to our reputation. While prohibited, it is not always possible to identify and deter employee misconduct, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting us from governmental investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to be in compliance with such laws or regulations. If any such actions are instituted against us, and we are not successful in defending ourselves or asserting our rights, those actions could have a significant impact on our business and results of operations, including the imposition of significant fines or other sanctions.

Our insurance may be insufficient to cover losses that may occur as a result of our operations.

We currently maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, clinical trial insurance and property and general liability insurance and intend in the future to obtain shipping and storage insurance for Product

 

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Candidates. This insurance may not remain available to us or be obtainable by us at commercially reasonable rates, and the amount of our coverage may not be adequate to cover any liability we incur. Future increases in insurance costs, coupled with the increase in deductibles, will result in higher operating costs and increased risk. If we were to incur substantial liability and such damages were not covered by insurance or were in excess of policy limits, or if we were to incur such liability at a time when we were not able to obtain liability insurance, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

There may be changes in laws, regulations and guidelines which are detrimental to our business.

Our operations are subject to a variety of laws, regulations and guidelines relating to pharmacology, cannabinoids and drug delivery, as well as laws and regulations relating to health and safety, the conduct of operations, and the protection of the environment. While, to the knowledge of our management, we are currently in compliance with all such laws, changes to such laws, regulations and guidelines due to matters beyond our control may cause adverse effects to our operations and financial condition. These changes may require us to incur substantial costs associated with legal and compliance fees and ultimately require us to alter our business plan. In addition, if the governments of Canada or the United States were to enact or amend laws relating to our industry, it may decrease the size of, or eliminate entirely, the market for our Product Candidates, may introduce significant new competition into the market and may otherwise potentially materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

If we do not comply with laws regulating the protection of the environment and health and human safety, our business could be adversely affected.

The research and development that we carry out either directly or through third-parties involves, and may in the future involve, the use of potentially hazardous materials and chemicals. Our operations may produce hazardous waste products. Although we believe that our safety procedures for handling and disposing of these materials comply with the standards mandated by local, state and federal laws and regulations, the risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials cannot be eliminated. If an accident occurs, we could be held liable for resulting damages, which could be substantial. We are also subject to numerous environmental, health and workplace safety laws and regulations and fire and building codes. Although we maintain workers’ compensation insurance as prescribed by the Province of British Columbia to cover us for costs and expenses we may incur due to injuries to our employees, this insurance may not provide adequate coverage against potential liabilities. We do not maintain insurance for environmental liability or toxic tort claims that may be asserted against us. Additional federal, state and local laws and regulations affecting our operations may be adopted in the future. We may incur substantial costs to comply with, and substantial fines or penalties if we violate, any of these laws or regulations.

Our proprietary information, or that of our customers, suppliers and business partners, may be lost or we may suffer security breaches.

In the ordinary course of our business, we may collect and store sensitive data, including intellectual property, data from preclinical studies, clinical trial data, our proprietary business information and that of our customers, suppliers and business partners, and personally identifiable information of our customers, clinical trial subjects and employees, in our data centers and on our networks. The secure processing, maintenance and transmission of this information is critical to our operations. Despite our security measures, our information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers or breached due to employee error, malfeasance or other disruptions. Although to our knowledge we have not experienced any such material security breach to date, any such breach could compromise our networks and the information stored there could be accessed, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen. Any such access, disclosure or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability under laws that protect the privacy of personal information, regulatory penalties, disrupt our operations, damage to our ability to obtain patent protection for our Product Candidates, damage to our reputation, and cause a loss of confidence in our products and our ability to conduct clinical trials, which could adversely affect our business and reputation and lead to delays in gaining regulatory approvals.

 

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We expect to face intense competition, often from companies with greater resources and experience than we have.

The pharmaceutical industry is highly competitive and subject to rapid change. The industry continues to expand and evolve as an increasing number of competitors and potential competitors enter the market. Many of these competitors and potential competitors have substantially greater financial, technological, managerial and research and development resources and experience than we have. Some of these competitors and potential competitors have more experience than we have in the development of pharmaceutical products, including validation procedures and regulatory matters. Other companies researching in the same disease areas may develop products that are competitive or superior to our Product Candidates. Other companies working in cannabinoid research may develop products targeting the same diseases that we are focused on that are competitive or superior to our Product Candidates. In addition, there are non-FDA approved Cannabis/cannabinoid preparations being made available from companies in the so-called “medical marijuana” industry, which may be competitive to our products. If we are unable to compete successfully, our commercial opportunities will be reduced and our business, results of operations and financial conditions may be materially harmed.

If we receive regulatory approvals, we intend to market our Product Candidates in multiple jurisdictions where we have limited or no operating experience and may be subject to increased business and economic risks that could affect our financial results.

If we receive regulatory approvals, we may plan to market our Product Candidates in jurisdictions where we have limited or no experience in marketing, developing and distributing our products. Certain markets have substantial legal and regulatory complexities that we may not have experience navigating. We are subject to a variety of risks inherent in doing business internationally, including risks related to the legal and regulatory environment in non-U.S. jurisdictions, including with respect to privacy and data security, trade control laws and unexpected changes in laws, regulatory requirements and enforcement, as well as risks related to fluctuations in currency exchange rates and political, social and economic instability in foreign countries. If we are unable to manage our international operations successfully, our financial results could be adversely affected.

Controlled substance legislation may differ in other jurisdictions and could restrict our ability to market our products internationally, which would result in increased business and economic risks that could affect our financial results.

Controlled substance legislation may differ in other jurisdictions and could restrict our ability to market our products internationally. Most countries are parties to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961, which governs international trade and domestic control of narcotic substances, including Cannabis extracts. Countries may interpret and implement their treaty obligations in a way that creates a legal obstacle to our obtaining marketing approval for Product Candidates in those countries. These countries may not be willing or able to amend or otherwise modify their laws and regulations to permit our Product Candidates to be marketed or achieving such amendments to the laws and regulations may take a prolonged period of time. We would be unable to market our Product Candidates in countries with such obstacles in the near future or perhaps at all without modification to laws and regulations.

Product liability lawsuits against us could cause us to incur substantial liabilities.

Our use of our Product Candidates in clinical trials and the sale of our Product Candidates, if approved, exposes us to the risk of product liability claims. Product liability claims might be brought against us by patients, healthcare providers or others selling or otherwise coming into contact with our Product Candidates. For example, we may be sued if any product we develop allegedly causes injury or is alleged to be otherwise unsuitable during product testing, manufacturing, marketing or sale. Any such product liability claims may include allegations of defects in manufacturing, defects in design, a failure to warn of dangers inherent in the

 

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product, including as a result of interactions with alcohol or other drugs, negligence, strict liability, and a breach of warranties. Claims could also be asserted under local jurisdiction consumer protection acts. If we become subject to product liability claims and cannot successfully defend ourselves against them, we could incur substantial liabilities. In addition, regardless of merit or eventual outcome, product liability claims may result in, among other things:

 

   

withdrawal of patients from our clinical trials;

 

   

substantial monetary awards to patients or other claimants;

 

   

decreased demand for our Product Candidates following marketing approval, if obtained;

 

   

damage to our reputation and exposure to adverse publicity;

 

   

increased FDA warnings on product labels or increased warnings imposed by the EMA or other regulatory authorities;

 

   

litigation costs;

 

   

distraction of management’s attention from our primary business;

 

   

loss of revenue; and

 

   

the inability to successfully commercialize our Product Candidates, if approved.

Our current clinical trial liability insurance coverage may not be sufficient to reimburse us for any expenses or losses we may suffer. Moreover, insurance coverage is becoming increasingly expensive and, in the future, we may not be able to maintain insurance coverage at a reasonable cost or in sufficient amounts to protect us against losses due to liability. If we obtain marketing approval for our Product Candidates, we intend to expand our insurance coverage to include the sale of commercial products; however, we may be unable to obtain product liability insurance on commercially reasonable terms or in adequate amounts. Large judgments have been awarded in class action lawsuits based on drugs that had unanticipated side effects. The cost of any product liability litigation or other proceedings, even if resolved in our favor, could be substantial, particularly in light of the size of our business and financial resources. A product liability claim or series of claims brought against us could cause our share price to decline and, if we are unsuccessful in defending such a claim or claims and the resulting judgments exceed our insurance coverage, our financial condition, results of operations, business and prospects could be materially adversely affected.

Failure to protect our information technology infrastructure against cyber-based attacks, network security breaches, service interruptions, or data corruption could significantly disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business and operating results.

We rely on information technology, telephone networks and systems, including the internet, to process and transmit sensitive electronic information and to manage or support a variety of business processes and activities. We use enterprise information technology systems to record, process and summarize financial information and results of operations for internal reporting purposes and to comply with regulatory, financial reporting, legal and tax requirements. Despite the implementation of security measures, our information technology systems, and those of our third-party contractors and consultants, are vulnerable to a cyber-attack, malicious intrusion, breakdown, destruction, loss of data privacy or other significant disruption. Any such successful attacks could result in the theft of intellectual property or other misappropriation of assets, or otherwise compromise our confidential or proprietary information and disrupt our operations. Cyber-attacks are becoming more sophisticated and frequent, and our systems could be the target of malware and other cyber-attacks. We have invested in our systems and the protection of our data to reduce the risk of an intrusion or interruption, and we monitor our systems on an ongoing basis for any current or potential threats. Nonetheless, our computer systems are subject to penetration and our data protection measures may not prevent unauthorized access. We can give no assurances that these measures and efforts will prevent interruptions or breakdowns. If

 

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we are unable to detect or prevent a security breach or cyber-attack or other disruption from occurring, then we could incur losses or damage to our data, or inappropriate disclosure of our confidential information or that of others; and we could sustain damage to our reputation, suffer disruptions to our research and development and incur increased operating costs including increased cybersecurity and other insurance premiums, costs to mitigate any damage caused and protect against future damage, and be exposed to additional regulatory scrutiny or penalties and to civil litigation and possible financial liability. For instance, the loss of preclinical or clinical data could result in delays in our development and regulatory filing efforts and significantly increase our costs.

Our failure to comply with data protection laws and regulations could lead to government enforcement actions and significant penalties against us, and adversely impact our operating results.

We are subject to various domestic and international data protection laws and regulations (i.e., laws and regulations that address privacy and data security). The legislative and regulatory landscape for data protection continues to evolve, and in recent years there has been an increasing focus on privacy and data security issues. Numerous laws, including data breach notification laws, health information privacy laws and consumer protection laws, govern the collection, use and disclosure of health-related and other personal information. In addition, we may obtain health information from third parties (e.g., healthcare providers who prescribe our products) that are subject to privacy and security requirements under HIPAA regulations.

EU Member States, Australia and other countries have also adopted data protection laws and regulations, which impose significant compliance obligations. For example, the collection and use of personal data in the EU is governed by the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation, or “GDPR”. The GDPR and the national implementing legislation of the EU Member States impose strict obligations and restrictions on the ability to collect, analyze and transfer personal data, including health data from clinical trials and adverse event reporting. In particular, these obligations and restrictions concern the consent of the individuals to whom the personal data relates, the information provided to the individuals, the rights of individuals to control personal data and the security and confidentiality of the personal data. In addition, the Australian Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), and other laws in the states and territories in Australia where we conduct certain of our clinical trials, apply similar restrictions on our ability to collect, analyze and transfer medical records and other patient data.

A claim or series of claims brought against us alleging a failure to comply with these laws, or changes in the way in which these laws are implemented, could lead to government enforcement actions and significant penalties against us, and adversely impact our operating results and could cause our share price to decline and, if we are unsuccessful in defending such a claim or claims and the resulting judgments exceed our insurance coverage, our financial condition, results of operations, business and prospects could be materially adversely affected.

The COVID-19 coronavirus could adversely impact our business, including several key activities that are critical to our success.

The global outbreak of COVID-19 continues to rapidly evolve. As a result, businesses have closed and limits have been placed on travel. The extent to which COVID-19 may impact our business will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, such as the ultimate impact of the disease on specific geographies, the duration of the outbreak, travel restrictions and social distancing in the United States, Canada and other countries, business closures or business disruptions and the effectiveness of actions taken in the United States, Canada and other countries to contain and treat the disease.

The spread of COVID-19 throughout the world has also created global economic uncertainty, which may cause partners, suppliers and potential customers to closely monitor their costs and reduce their spending budget. Either of the foregoing could materially adversely affect our research and development activities, clinical trials, supply chain, financial condition and cash flows.

 

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If the COVID-19 outbreak continues to spread, we may need to limit operations or implement other limitations on our activities. There is a risk that other countries or regions may be less effective at containing COVID-19, in which case the risks described herein could be elevated significantly.

Risks Related to our Intellectual Property

Our success is largely dependent upon our patents, proprietary technology, and other intellectual property.

Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to obtain patents, protect our trade secrets and operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of others. Patents and other proprietary rights are essential to our business. We rely on trade secret, patent, copyright and trademark laws, and confidentiality and other agreements with employees and third parties, all of which offer only limited protection. Our general policy has been to file patent applications to protect our inventions and improvements to our inventions that are considered important to the development of our business. In certain cases, we have chosen to protect our intellectual property by treating it as confidential internal know-how. Our success will depend in part on our ability to obtain patents, defend patents, maintain internal know-how/trade secret protection and operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of others. Interpretation and evaluation of pharmaceutical patent claims present complex legal and factual questions. Further, patent protection may not be available for some of the products or technology we are developing. If we are placed in a position where we must spend significant time and money defending or enforcing our patents, designing around patents held by others or licensing patents or other proprietary rights held by others, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be harmed. In seeking to protect our inventions using patents it is important to note that we have no assurance that:

 

   

patent applications will result in the issuance of patents;

 

   

additional proprietary products developed will be patentable;

 

   

patents issued will provide adequate protection or any competitive advantages;

 

   

patents issued will not be successfully challenged by third parties;

 

   

commercial exploitation of our inventions does not infringe the patents or intellectual property of others; or

 

   

we will be able to obtain any extensions of the patent term.

A number of pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies and research and academic institutions have developed technologies, filed patent applications or received patents on various technologies that may be related to our business. Some of these technologies, applications or patents could limit the scope of the patents, if any, that we may be able to obtain. It is also possible that these technologies, applications or patents may preclude us from obtaining patent protection for our inventions. Further, there may be uncertainty as to whether we may be able to successfully defend any challenge to our patent portfolio. Moreover, we may have to participate in derivation proceedings, inter partes review proceedings, post-grant review proceedings, or opposition proceedings in the various jurisdictions around the world. An unfavorable outcome in a derivation proceeding, an inter partes review proceeding, a post-grant review proceeding, or an opposition proceeding could preclude us or our collaborators or licensees from making, using or selling products using the technology, or require us to obtain license rights from third parties. It is not known whether any prevailing party would offer a license on commercially acceptable terms, if at all. Further, any such license could require the expenditure of substantial time and resources and could harm our business. If such licenses are not available, we could encounter delays or prohibition of the development or introduction of our product. In the case of intellectual property where we have chosen to protect it by treating it as internal know how, there can be no assurance that others with greater expertise or access to greater resources do not develop similar or superior technology that impairs the competitive value of our internal know-how.

 

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Obtaining and maintaining our patent protection depends on compliance with various procedural, document submission, fee payment and other requirements imposed by governmental patent agencies, and our patent protection could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or “PTO”, and various foreign national or international patent agencies require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment and other similar provisions during the patent application process. Periodic maintenance fees on any issued patent are due to be paid to the PTO and various foreign national or international patent agencies in several stages over the lifetime of the patent. While an inadvertent lapse can in many cases be cured by payment of a late fee or by other means in accordance with the applicable rules, there are situations in which noncompliance can result in abandonment or lapse of the patent or patent application, resulting in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction. Non-compliance events that could result in abandonment or lapse of patent rights include, but are not limited to, failure to timely file national and regional stage patent applications based on our international patent application, failure to respond to official actions within prescribed time limits, non-payment of fees and failure to properly legalize and submit formal documents. If we fail to maintain the patents and patent applications covering our Product Candidates, our competitors might be able to enter the market, which would have a material adverse effect on our business.

We may become subject to claims by third parties asserting that we or our employees have misappropriated their intellectual property or claiming ownership of what we regard as our own intellectual property.

Our commercial success depends upon our ability to develop, manufacture, market and sell our Product Candidates, and to use our related proprietary technologies without violating the intellectual property rights of others. We may become party to, or threatened with, future adversarial proceedings or litigation regarding intellectual property rights with respect to our Product Candidates, including interference or derivation proceedings before the PTO or other international patent offices. Third parties may assert infringement claims against us based on existing patents or patents that may be granted in the future. If we are found to infringe a third party’s intellectual property rights, we could be required to obtain a license from such third party to continue commercializing our Product Candidates. However, we may not be able to obtain any required license on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Under certain circumstances, we could be forced, including by court order, to cease commercializing the applicable product candidate. In addition, in any such proceeding or litigation, we could be found liable for monetary damages. A finding of infringement could prevent us from commercializing our Product Candidates or force us to cease some of our business operations, which could materially harm our business. Any claims by third parties that we have misappropriated their confidential information or trade secrets could have a similar negative impact on our business.

While our preclinical studies are ongoing, we believe that the use of our Product Candidates in these preclinical studies fall within the scope of the exemptions provided by 35 U.S.C. Section 271(e) in the United States, which exempts from patent infringement liability activities reasonably related to the development and submission of information to the FDA. As our Product Candidates progress toward clinical trials and, ultimately, commercialization, the possibility of a patent infringement claim against us increases. We attempt to ensure that our Product Candidates and the methods we employ to manufacture them, as well as the methods for their uses we intend to promote, do not infringe other parties’ patents and other proprietary rights. There can be no assurance they do not, however, and competitors or other parties may assert that we infringe their proprietary rights in any event.

We may become involved in lawsuits to protect or enforce our intellectual property, which could be expensive, time consuming and unsuccessful and have a material adverse effect on the success of our business.

Competitors may infringe our patents or misappropriate or otherwise violate our intellectual property rights. To counter infringement or unauthorized use, litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce or defend our intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets or to determine the validity and scope of our

 

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own intellectual property rights or the proprietary rights of others. Also, third parties may initiate legal proceedings against us to challenge the validity or scope of intellectual property rights we own. These proceedings can be expensive and time consuming. Many of our current and potential competitors have the ability to dedicate substantially greater resources to defend their intellectual property rights than we can. Accordingly, despite our efforts, we may not be able to prevent third parties from infringing upon or misappropriating our intellectual property. Litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of management resources, which could harm our business and financial results. In addition, in an infringement proceeding, a court may decide that a patent owned by us is invalid or unenforceable or may refuse to stop the other party from using the technology at issue on the grounds that our patents do not cover the technology in question. An adverse result in any litigation proceeding could put one or more of our patents at risk of being invalidated, held unenforceable or interpreted narrowly. Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during this type of litigation. There could also be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments. If securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a material adverse effect on the price of our common shares.

If we are not able to adequately prevent disclosure of trade secrets and other proprietary information, the value of our technology and products could be significantly diminished.

We rely on trade secrets to protect our proprietary technologies, especially where we do not believe patent protection is appropriate or obtainable. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect. We rely in part on confidentiality agreements with our current and former employees, consultants, outside scientific collaborators, sponsored researchers, contract manufacturers, vendors and other advisors to protect our trade secrets and other proprietary information. These agreements may not effectively prevent disclosure of confidential information and may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. In addition, we cannot guarantee that we have executed these agreements with each party that may have or have had access to our trade secrets. Any party with whom we or they have executed such an agreement may breach that agreement and disclose our proprietary information, including our trade secrets, and we may not be able to obtain adequate remedies for such breaches.

Enforcing a claim that a party illegally disclosed or misappropriated a trade secret is difficult, expensive and time-consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. In addition, some courts are less willing or unwilling to protect trade secrets. If any of our trade secrets were to be lawfully obtained or independently developed by a competitor, we would have no right to prevent them, or those to whom they disclose such trade secrets, from using that technology or information to compete with us. If any of our trade secrets were to be disclosed to or independently developed by a competitor or other third-party, our competitive position would be harmed.

We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights throughout the world.

Filing, prosecuting and defending patents on all of our Product Candidates throughout the world would be prohibitively expensive. Therefore, we have filed applications and/or obtained patents only in key markets such as the United States, Canada, Japan and Europe. Competitors may use our technologies in jurisdictions where we have not obtained patent protection to develop their own products and, further, may be able to export otherwise infringing products to territories where we have patent protection but where enforcement is not as strong as that in the United States. These products may compete with our products in jurisdictions where we do not have any issued patents and our patent claims or other intellectual property rights may not be effective or sufficient to prevent them from so competing.

Many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending intellectual property rights in certain foreign jurisdictions. The legal systems of certain countries, particularly certain

 

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developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents and other intellectual property protection, particularly those relating to pharmaceuticals, which could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement of our patents or marketing of competing products in violation of our proprietary rights generally. For example, an April 2016 report from the Office of the United States Trade Representative identified a number of countries, including India and China, where challenges to the procurement and enforcement of patent rights have been reported. Several countries, including India and China, have been listed in the report every year since 1989. As a result, proceedings to enforce our patent rights in certain foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial cost and divert our efforts and attention from other aspects of our business and could be unsuccessful.

Patent terms may be inadequate to protect our competitive position on our Product Candidates for an adequate amount of time.

Given the amount of time required for the development, testing and regulatory review of new Product Candidates, patents protecting such candidates might expire before or shortly after such candidates are commercialized. We expect to seek extensions of patent terms in the United States and, if available, in other countries where we are prosecuting patents. In the United States, the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984 permits a patent term extension of up to five years beyond the normal expiration of the patent, which is limited to the approved indication (or any additional indications approved during the period of extension). However, the applicable authorities, including the FDA and the PTO, and any equivalent regulatory authorities in other countries, may not agree with our assessment of whether such extensions are available, and may refuse to grant extensions to our patents, or may grant more limited extensions than we request. If this occurs, our competitors may be able to take advantage of our investment in development and clinical trials by referencing our clinical and preclinical data and launch their product earlier than might otherwise be the case.

Intellectual property rights do not necessarily address all potential threats to our competitive advantage.

The degree of future protection afforded by our intellectual property rights is uncertain because intellectual property rights have limitations, and may not adequately protect our business, or permit us to maintain our competitive advantage. For example:

 

   

others may be able to make compounds that are the same as or similar to our Product Candidates but that are not covered by the claims of the patents that we own;

 

   

we might not have been the first to make the inventions covered by the issued patents or pending patent applications that we own;

 

   

we might not have been the first to file patent applications covering certain of our inventions;

 

   

others may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or duplicate any of our technologies without infringing our intellectual property rights;

 

   

it is possible that our pending patent applications will not lead to issued patents;

 

   

issued patents that we own may not provide us with any competitive advantages, or may be held invalid or unenforceable as a result of legal challenges;

 

   

our competitors might conduct research and development activities in the United States and other countries that provide a safe harbor from patent infringement claims for certain research and development activities, as well as in countries where we do not have patent rights and then use the information learned from such activities to develop competitive products for sale in our major commercial markets; or

 

   

the patents of others may have an adverse effect on our business.

 

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Risks Related to our Third Parties

We rely heavily on contract manufacturers over whom we have limited control. If we are subject to quality, cost or delivery issues with the preclinical and clinical grade materials supplied by contract manufacturers, our business operations could suffer significant harm.

We currently have no manufacturing capabilities and rely on contract development and manufacturing organizations, or “CDMOs”, to manufacture our Product Candidates for preclinical studies and clinical trials. We rely on CDMOs for manufacturing, filling, packaging, testing, storing and shipping of drug products in compliance with cGMP, regulations applicable to our products. The FDA and other regulatory agencies ensure the quality of drug products by carefully monitoring drug manufacturers’ compliance with cGMP regulations. The cGMP regulations for drugs contain minimum requirements for the methods, facilities and controls used in manufacturing, processing and packaging of a drug product. If our CDMOs increase their prices or fail to meet our quality standards, or those of regulatory agencies such as the FDA, and cannot be replaced by other acceptable CDMOs, our ability to obtain regulatory approval for and commercialize our Product Candidates may be materially adversely affected.

The APIs used in all of our Product Candidates are currently sourced from either contract manufacturers or, for smaller quantities, from research material suppliers, that typically utilize synthetic chemistry as their manufacturing method. This is intended to be an interim step to enable us to proceed with developing our formulation, execute preclinical toxicology studies and progress through Phase I and II clinical trials, after which time we anticipate that we will have been able to successfully scale-up our IntegraSynTM manufacturing approach so that it will be commercial-scale ready. Bridging studies consisting of chemical analysis and, possibly, animal studies may be required in order to switch our APIs from the current external manufacturing sources to our internally manufactured products. There is no guarantee that we will be successful in scaling up our IntegraSynTM manufacturing process for cannabinoids, or successfully complete any required bridging studies, or be able to successfully transfer our IntegraSynTM manufacturing process to a CDMO. The key risks and challenges associated with the development of the IntegraSynTM process include: failure to continue optimization and development of the process manufacturing steps from the current scale while maintaining the same or greater output of the selected cannabinoid; equipment and techniques may not be able to be scaled up using existing commercial processing equipment; supply of the key starting materials for the process may not be secured to ensure stability and security of commercial supply; and, failure of the large scale process to consistently produce the selected cannabinoid within set specifications and meeting the process parameters and in process controls to enable the manufacturing process to be validated for GMP commercial production of an API, among others. Failing to accomplish these or other criteria for the IntegraSynTM manufacturing process with a CDMO may mean that we are not able to produce certain cannabinoids in a cost-effective manner. This could result in us not being able to successfully commercialize our Product Candidates, if any, that may obtain regulatory approval.

Our existing collaboration agreements and any that we may enter into in the future may not be successful.

We also have relationships with scientific collaborators at academic and other institutions, some of whom conduct research at our request or assist us in formulating our research and development strategies. These scientific collaborators are not our employees and may have commitments to, or consulting or advisory contracts with, companies that conflict in interests with and pose a competitive threat to us. Moreover, to the extent that we decide to enter into collaboration agreements, we will face significant competition in seeking appropriate collaborators. Collaboration arrangements are complex and time consuming to negotiate, document and implement. We may not be successful in our efforts to establish, implement and maintain collaborations or other alternative arrangements if we choose to enter into such arrangements and our selected partners may be given, and may exercise, a right to terminate their agreement with us without cause. The terms of any collaboration or other arrangements that we may establish may not be favorable to us.

 

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For all of the aforesaid reasons and others set forth in this registration statement, an investment in our common shares and any other securities that we may offer from time to time involves a certain degree of risk. Any person considering an investment in our common shares or any other of our securities should be aware of these and other factors set forth in this registration statement and should consult with his or her legal, tax and financial advisors prior to making an investment in our common shares or any other of our securities that may be offered from time to time. Our common shares and any other securities that we may offer from time to time should only be purchased by persons who can afford to lose all of their investment.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, including the sections entitled “Prospectus Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business,” contains forward-looking statements. We may, in some cases, use words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “predict”, “project”, “will”, “would”, and similar expressions that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this prospectus include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

   

Our researching, developing, manufacturing and commercializing cannabinoid-based biopharmaceutical products will treat diseases with high unmet medical needs;

 

   

The continued optimization of the cannabinoid manufacturing approach including the high-efficiency enzyme, biofermentation parameters and downstream purification;

 

   

Our success in initiating discussions with potential partners for licensing various aspects of our Product Candidates, including an ocular delivery system;

 

   

Our ability to register and commercialize products in the United States and other jurisdictions;

 

   

Our ability to successfully build a dedicated cannabinoid manufacturing facility, to access existing manufacturing capacity via leases with third-parties or to transfer our IntegraSyn process for manufacturing to a contract manufacturing organization with existing infrastructure to produce for us the preclinical, clinical and commercial scale supply of our Product Candidates;

 

   

Our belief that the IntegraSyn manufacturing approach that we are developing is robust and effective and will result in high yields of cannabinoids;

 

   

Our belief that the IntegraSynTM manufacturing approach that we are developing will be a significant improvement upon existing manufacturing platforms, such as direct extraction, which needs an agricultural-centric process, including planting, growing, harvesting, and extraction;

 

   

Our belief that a single-agent formulation, rather than a combination product, will improve the probability of development and regulatory success in EB;

 

   

Our belief that that INM-755 offers specific advantages and will prove to provide the extensive relief symptomology with the added potential of addressing the underlying disease in EB;

 

   

The structure of future INM-755 studies;

 

   

Filing regulatory applications for a Phase I/II study in EB patients in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2020 and first quarter of calendar year 2021;

 

   

Our ability of the IntegraSynTM approach to introduce a revenue stream to us before the expected commercial approval of our therapeutic programs;

 

   

Our ability to successfully scale up our IntegraSyn approach so that it will be commercial-scale ready after Phase I / IIa clinical trials are completed, after which time we believe that we will no longer need to source APIs from contract manufacturers;

 

   

The success of the key next steps in our IntegraSyn approach, including continuing efforts to diversify the number of cannabinoids produced, scaling-up the IntegraSyn process to larger vessels and identifying external vendors to assist in the commercial scale-up of the process;

 

   

Our ability to optimize fermentation conditions and downstream purification processes with third party suppliers;

 

   

Our ability to successfully make determinations as to which research and development programs to continue based on several strategic factors;

 

   

Our ability to monetize our biosynthesis platform technology to the broader pharmaceutical industry;

 

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Our ability to take an opportunistic approach in the rapidly emerging sector of cannabinoid pharmaceutical development to maximize the return to investors/shareholders;

 

   

Our ability to continue to outsource the majority of our research and development activities through scientific collaboration agreements and arrangements with various scientific collaborators, academic institutions and their personnel;

 

   

The success of work to be conducted under the research and development collaboration between us and various CDMOs;

 

   

Our ability to develop our therapies through early human testing;

 

   

Our ability to evaluate the financial returns on various commercialization approaches for our Product Candidates, such as a ‘go it-alone’ commercialization effort, out-licensing to third parties, or co-promotion agreements with strategic collaborators;

 

   

Our ability to oversee clinical trials for INM-755 in EB and building the requisite internal commercialization infrastructure to self-market the product to EB clinics;

 

   

Our ability to find a partnership early in the development process for INM-088 in glaucoma;

 

   

Our IntegraSyn-derived products being bio-identical to the naturally occurring cannabinoids, and offering superior ease, control and quality of manufacturing when compared to alternative methods;

 

   

Our ability to scale-up our integrative biosynthesis-based manufacturing approach to GMP batch size;

 

   

Our ability to explore IntegraSyn as a process which may confer certain benefits, either cost, yield, speed, or all of the above, when pursuing specific types of cannabinoids, and filing a provisional patent application for same;

 

   

Plans regarding our next steps, options, and targeted benefits of the IntegraSyn approach;

 

   

Our ability to potentially earn revenue from our IntegraSyn approach by (i) becoming a supplier of drug product to the pharmaceutical industry and/or (ii) providing pharmaceutical-grade ingredients to the non-pharmaceutical market;

 

   

Our plans to work closely with regulatory authorities and clinical experts in developing the clinical program for INM-755;

 

   

Our ability to successfully file a future patent application for the treatment of glaucoma;

 

   

Our ability to complete formulation development and proof-of-concept in vivo studies for INM-088 in the 1H2020, in preparation for clinical trial enabling pharmacology and toxicology studies beginning in 2H2020;

 

   

INM-088 being a once-a-day or twice-a-day eye drop medication that will compete with treatment modalities in the medicines category;

 

   

The potential of INM-088 to assist in reducing the high rate of non-adherence with current glaucoma therapies;

 

   

The ability of the first applications of our stimulus responsive, nanoparticle-laden vehicle for controlled delivery of ophthalmic drugs being for INM-088;

 

   

Our belief that with a novel delivery system, the reduction of IOP and/or providing neuroprotection in glaucoma patients by topical (eye drop) application of cannabinoids will hold significant promise as a new therapy;

 

   

The potential of peripheral application of certain cannabinoid compounds, alone or in combination, such as INM-405 to be effective in the treatment of pain disorders, and for them to be a more desirable strategy than systemic pain-relief administration;

 

   

The potential to out-license our delivery vehicle to other companies with ophthalmic drugs;

 

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The potential for any of our patent applications to provide intellectual property protection for us;

 

   

Our ability to secure insurance coverage for shipping and storage of Product Candidates, and clinical trial insurance;

 

   

Our ability to expand our insurance coverage to include the commercial sale of approved drug products;

 

   

Our continuing investment in each of our non-core asset programs;

 

   

Our ability to find strategic partners to assist with development of non-core asset programs;

 

   

Our ability to initiate discussions with potential partners;

 

   

Our ability to position ourselves to achieve value-driving, near term milestones for our Product Candidates with limited investment;

 

   

Our ability to execute our business strategy;

 

   

Critical accounting estimates;

 

   

Management’s assessment of future plans and operations; and

 

   

The outlook of our business and the global economic and geopolitical conditions;

 

   

The competitive environment in which we and our business units operate; and

 

   

Our ability to declare dividends.

These forward-looking statements reflect our management’s beliefs and views with respect to future events and are based on estimates and assumptions as of the date of this prospectus and are subject to risks and uncertainties. We discuss many of these risks in greater detail under “Risk Factors.” Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

You should read this prospectus and the documents that we reference in this prospectus and have filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of the forward-looking statements in this prospectus by these cautionary statements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately $     million (or approximately $     million if the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full) from the sale of the common shares offered by us in this offering, based on an assumed initial offering price of $    .00 per share, the U.S. dollar equivalent of the last reported sale price of our common shares on the TSX on              , 2020, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of $    .00 per share would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by approximately $     million, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

Similarly, a      share increase (decrease) in the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us by approximately $     million, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $    .00 per share (the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

The principal purposes of this offering are to obtain additional capital to support our operations and to facilitate our planned Nasdaq listing. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for the following purposes:

 

   

to fund our development efforts of INM-755 including a Phase I/II clinical trial;

 

   

to fund our ongoing development efforts of INM-088;

 

   

to fund the general development efforts of our IntegraSyn program; and

 

   

to fund working capital, other research and development and general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the remaining net proceeds to in-license, acquire, or invest in complementary businesses, intellectual property, products or assets. However, we have no current commitments or obligations to do so.

Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering, and investors will be relying on the judgment of our management regarding the application of those net proceeds. The timing and amount of our actual expenditures will be based on many factors, including cash flows from operations and the anticipated growth of our business. Pending the uses described above, we plan to invest these net proceeds in short-term, interest bearing investments, investment-grade instruments, certificates of deposit or direct or guaranteed obligations of the United States or Canada.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

We do not anticipate declaring or paying, in the foreseeable future, any cash dividends on our common shares. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to support our operations and finance the growth and development of our business. Any future determination related to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our Board and will depend upon, among other factors, our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, business prospects and other factors our Board may deem relevant.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents as well as capitalization as of March 31, 2020 without giving effect to the Proposed Share Consolidation:

 

   

on an actual basis; and

 

   

on an as adjusted basis to give effect to the sale of      common shares in this offering at the assumed offering price of $      per share, which is the U.S. dollar equivalent of the last reported sale price of our common shares on the TSX on June     , 2020, converted into U.S. dollars at             , after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

You should read this table together with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this prospectus, and our financial statements and related notes thereto.

 

     As of March 31, 2020  
     Actual      Pro forma
as adjusted
 
    

(In thousands, except share and per

share data)

 

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

   $ 7,009      $                

Shareholders’ equity (deficit):

     

Common share; unlimited shares authorized,      shares issued and outstanding, actual; 172,283,633 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma;      shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted

     53,065                      

Additional paid-in capital

     17,608     

Accumulated deficit

     (63,033   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     (567   
  

 

 

    

Total shareholders’ equity

     7,073     

Total capitalization

   $ 7,073      $    

Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of $      per share, the U.S. dollar equivalent of the last reported sale price of our common shares on the TSX on June      , 2020, would increase (decrease) the pro forma amount of cash and cash equivalents, total shareholders’ equity and total capitalization by approximately $      million, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We may also increase or decrease the number of shares we are offering. Each increase (decrease) of 100,000 shares in the number of shares offered by us would increase (decrease) the pro forma amount of cash and cash equivalents, total shareholders’ equity and total capitalization by approximately $      million, assuming that the assumed public offering price remains the same, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. The pro forma information discussed above is illustrative only and will be adjusted based on the actual public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

 

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The number of common shares to be outstanding after this offering is based on an aggregate of 172,283,633 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2020. The table above does not include:

 

   

19,462,500 common shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options as of March 31, 2020, at a weighted average exercise price of $0.31 per share, of which 14,500,994 shares were vested as of such date;

 

   

17,717,641 common shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of March 31, 2020, at an exercise price of $0.87 per share; and

 

   

14,994,227 common shares reserved for future issuance under our stock option plan as of March 31, 2020, plus any future increases in the number of common shares reserved for issuance under our stock option plan pursuant to evergreen provisions.

 

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DILUTION

Investors purchasing common shares in this offering will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the as adjusted net tangible book value of their common shares. Dilution in as adjusted net tangible book value represents the difference between the public offering price per share and the as adjusted net tangible book value per common share immediately after the offering.

The historical net tangible book value of our common shares as of March 31, 2020 was $6.0 million, or, without giving effect to the Proposed Share Consolidation, $0.03 per share. Historical net tangible book value per common share represents our total tangible assets (total assets less intangible assets) less total liabilities divided by the number of common shares outstanding as of that date.

After giving effect to the sale of          common shares in this offering at the assumed offering price of $      per share, which was the U.S. dollar equivalent of the last reported sale price of our common shares on the TSX on June      , 2020, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our net tangible book value as of March 31, 2020 would have been $      million, or $      per share. This amount represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $      per share to our existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of approximately $      per share to new investors purchasing our common shares in this offering. We determine dilution by subtracting the net tangible book value per share after the offering from the amount of cash that a new investor paid for a common share.

The following table illustrates this dilution on a per share basis:

 

Assumed offering price per share

   $        

Historical net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2020(1)

   $ 0.03  

Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to Investors

   $        

Net tangible book value per share after the offering

   $        

Dilution per share to new investors

   $        

 

  (1)

Without giving effect to the Proposed Share Consolidation.

Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed public offering price of $      per share would increase or decrease our net tangible book value after this offering by approximately $      million, or approximately $      per share, and increase or decrease the dilution per share to new investors by approximately $      per share, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We may also increase or decrease the number of shares we are offering. An increase or decrease of 100,000 shares in the number of shares offered by us would increase or decrease our net tangible book value after this offering by approximately $      million, or $      per share, and increase or decrease the dilution per share to new investors by approximately $      per share, assuming that the assumed public offering price remains the same, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. The information discussed above is illustrative only and will be adjusted based on the actual public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

If the underwriter exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full, the net tangible book value per share after giving effect to the offering would be $      per share. This represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book value of $      per share to existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $      per share to new investors purchasing shares of our common shares in this offering.

 

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The table above does not include:

 

   

19,462,500 common shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options as of March 31, 2020, at a weighted average exercise price of $0.31 per share, of which 14,500,994 shares were vested as of such date;

 

   

17,717,641 common shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of March 31, 2020, at an exercise price of $0.87 per share; and

 

   

14,994,227 common shares reserved for future issuance under our stock option plan as of March 31, 2020, plus any future increases in the number of common shares reserved for issuance under our stock option plan pursuant to evergreen provisions.

To the extent that outstanding options or warrants are exercised, you will experience further dilution. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities may result in further dilution to our shareholders.

 

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SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected statements of operations data for the years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 and the balance sheet data as of June 30, 2019 and 2018 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements that are included elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected statements of operations data for the nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 and the balance sheet data as of March 31, 2020 are derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements that are included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of our results in any future period and results from our interim period may not necessarily be indicative of the results of the entire year.

You should read the following selected financial data together with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected financial data in this section are not intended to replace our financial statements and the related notes and are qualified in their entirety by the financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

     Year Ended June 30,     Nine Months Ended March 31,  
     2019     2018     2020     2019  

Total revenue

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —    

Operating expenses

        

Research and development and patents

     5,126,408       1,934,473       4,843,656       3,079,746  

General and administrative

     4,296,520       6,055,739       2,661,545       3,274,203  

Amortization and depreciation

     119,399       117,928       85,572       89,191  

Total operating expenses

     9,542,327       8,108,140       7,590,773       6,443,140  

Interest income

     327,720       69,552       125,231       258,671  

Foreign exchange (loss) gain

     (33,888     226       142,677       13,656  

Net loss

   $ (9,248,495   $ (8,038,362   $ (7,322,865   $ (6,170,813

Other comprehensive loss

        

Foreign currency translation (loss) gain

     53,314       (232,536     (685,834     (254,143

Comprehensive loss for the year

     (9,195,181     (8,270,898     (8,008,699     (6,424,956

Net loss per share(1)

     (0.05     (0.06     (0.04     (0.04

Basic and diluted

     171,338,793       142,451,768       172,283,633       171,024,996  

Pro forma net loss per share(1):

        

Basic and diluted

        

 

(1)

See Note 2 of the notes to our financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for a description of how we compute basic and diluted net income per share attributable to common shareholders and preferred shareholders and pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common shareholders.

 

     Year ended June 30,      As of March 31,  
     2019      2018      2020  

Balance Sheet Data:

        

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

   $ 13,783,949      $ 20,106,996      $ 7,009,319  

Working capital

     12,978,873        19,589,903        5,851,162  

Total assets

     15,437,115        21,651,380        8,705,023  

Lease obligations

     —          —          321,729  

Total liabilities

     1,194,211        712,150        1,632,514  

Accumulated deficit

     (55,710,232      (46,461,737      (63,033,097

Total shareholders’ equity

   $ 14,242,904        20,939,230        7,072,509  

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the “Selected Financial Data” and our financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition to historical information, this discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from management’s expectations. Factors that could cause such differences are discussed in the sections entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors.” We are not undertaking any obligation to update any forward-looking statements or other statements we may make in the following discussion or elsewhere in this document even though these statements may be affected by events or circumstances occurring after the forward-looking statements or other statements were made. Therefore, no reader of this document should rely on these statements being current as of any time other than the time at which this document is declared effective by the SEC.

Overview

We are a clinical stage pharmaceutical company developing our Product Candidates.

Since our acquisition of Biogen Science Inc., our operations have focused on conducting research and development for our drug candidates and for our integrated, biosynthesis-based manufacturing technology, establishing our intellectual property, organizing and staffing our company, business planning and capital raising. To date, we have funded our operations primarily through the issuance of common shares.

We have incurred significant operating losses since our inception and since the acquisition of Biogen Science Inc. and we expect to continue to incur significant operating losses for the foreseeable future. Our ability to generate product revenue, if ever, that is sufficient to achieve profitability will depend heavily on the successful development and eventual commercialization of one or more of our drug candidates and/or our integrated, biosynthesis-based manufacturing technology. Our net comprehensive losses were $9.2 million and $8.3 million for the years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $8.0 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2020, we had an accumulated deficit of $63.0 million, which includes all losses since our inception in 1981. We expect our expenses and operating losses will increase substantially over the next several years in connection with our ongoing activities as we:

 

   

continue to further advance the development of our IntegraSynTM manufacturing approach;

 

   

continue research on INM-755, our lead drug candidate for the treatment of EB, by completing the ongoing clinical trials and commencing subsequent clinical trials;

 

   

continue preclinical research studies for INM-088, our drug candidate for the treatment of glaucoma, which we expect to be followed by clinical trial-enabling studies and then human clinical trials;

 

   

investigate our Product Candidates for additional indications;

 

   

pursue the discovery of drug targets for other diseases with high unmet medical needs and the subsequent development of any resulting Product Candidates;

 

   

seek regulatory approvals for any Product Candidates that successfully complete clinical trials;

 

   

scale-up our manufacturing processes and capabilities, or arrange for a third party to do so on our behalf, to support our clinical trials of our Product Candidates and commercialization of any of our Product Candidates for which we obtain marketing approval;

 

   

acquire or in-license products externally developed product(s) and/or technologies;

 

   

maintain, expand, enforce, defend and protect our intellectual property;

 

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hire additional clinical, quality control and scientific personnel; and

 

   

add operational, financial and management information systems and personnel, including personnel to support our product development and potential future commercialization efforts and our operations as a public company.

As a result, we will need substantial additional funding to support our continuing operations and pursue our growth strategy. Until such time as we can generate significant revenue from product sales, if ever, we expect to finance our operations through the sale of equity, debt financings or other capital sources, including collaborations with other companies or other strategic transactions. We may be unable to raise additional funds or enter into such other agreements or arrangements when needed on favorable terms, or at all. If we fail to raise capital or enter into such agreements as and when needed, we may have to significantly delay, scale back or discontinue the development and commercialization of one or more of our Product Candidates, or grant rights to external entities to develop and market our Product Candidates, even if we would otherwise prefer to develop and market such Product Candidates ourselves.

Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with drug development, we are unable to predict the timing or amount of increased expenses or the timing of when or if we will be able to achieve or maintain profitability. Even if we are able to generate product sales, we may not become profitable. If we fail to become profitable or are unable to sustain profitability on a continuing basis, then we may be unable to continue our operations at planned levels and be forced to reduce or terminate our operations.

Components of Results of Operations

Revenue

To date, our only source of revenues has been interest earned on our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. We have not generated any revenue from product sales and do not expect to generate any revenue from the sale of products for several years, if at all. If our development efforts for our current or future Product Candidates are successful and result in marketing approval, we may generate revenue in the future from product sales. We cannot predict if, when or to what extent we will generate revenue from the commercialization and sale of our Product Candidates. We may never succeed in obtaining regulatory approval for any of our Product Candidates.

We may also, in the future, enter into license or collaboration agreements for our Product Candidates or intellectual property, and we may generate revenue in the future from payments as a result of such license or collaboration agreements.

Operating Expenses

Research and Development and Patent Expenses

Research and development and patent expenses represent costs incurred by us for the discovery, development, and manufacture of our Product Candidates and include:

 

   

external research and development expenses incurred under agreements with CROs, contract development and manufacturing organizations, or “CDMOs”, and consultants;

 

   

salaries, payroll taxes, employee benefits expenses for individuals involved in research and development efforts;

 

   

research supplies; and

 

   

legal and patent office fees related to patent and intellectual property matters.

We expense research and development costs as incurred. We recognize expenses for certain development activities, such as preclinical studies and manufacturing, based on an evaluation of the progress to completion of

 

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specific tasks using data or other information provided to us by our vendors. Payments for these activities are based on the terms of the individual agreements, which may differ from the pattern of expenses incurred. Nonrefundable advance payments for goods or services to be received in the future for use in research and development activities are recorded as prepaid expenses. These amounts are recognized as an expense as the goods are delivered or the related services are performed, or until it is no longer expected that the goods will be delivered or the services rendered.

External costs represent a significant portion of our research and development expenses, which we track on a program-by-program basis following the nomination of a development candidate. Our internal research and development expenses consist primarily of personnel-related expenses, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation expense. We do not track our internal research and development expenses on a program-by-program basis as the resources are deployed across multiple projects.

The successful development of our Product Candidates is highly uncertain. At this time, we cannot reasonably estimate or know the nature, timing, and estimated costs of the efforts that will be necessary to complete the remainder of the development of our Product Candidates. We are also unable to predict when, if ever, material net cash inflows will commence from our Product Candidates, if approved. This is due to the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with developing our Product Candidates, including the uncertainty related to:

 

   

the timing and progress of preclinical and clinical development activities;

 

   

the number and scope of preclinical and clinical programs we decide to pursue;

 

   

our ability to raise additional funds necessary to complete preclinical and clinical development and commercialization of our Product Candidates and to advance the development of our biosynthesis-based manufacturing technology;

 

   

our ability to maintain our current research and development programs and to establish new ones;

 

   

our ability to establish licensing or collaboration arrangements;

 

   

the progress of the development efforts of parties with whom we may enter into collaboration arrangements;

 

   

the successful initiation and completion of clinical trials with safety, tolerability and efficacy profiles that are satisfactory to the FDA or any comparable foreign regulatory authority;

 

   

the receipt and related terms of regulatory approvals from applicable regulatory authorities;

 

   

the availability of raw materials and API for use in production of our Product Candidates;

 

   

our ability to establish and operate a manufacturing facility, or secure manufacturing supply through relationships with third parties;

 

   

our ability to consistently manufacture our Product Candidates in quantities sufficient for use in clinical trials;

 

   

our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection and regulatory exclusivity, both in the United States and internationally;

 

   

our ability to maintain, enforce, defend and protect our rights in our intellectual property portfolio;

 

   

the commercialization of our Product Candidates, if and when approved;

 

   

our ability to obtain and maintain third-party payor coverage and adequate reimbursement for our Product Candidates, if approved;

 

   

the acceptance of our Product Candidates, if approved, by patients, the medical community and third-party payors;

 

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competition with other products; and

 

   

a continued acceptable safety profile of our products following receipt of any regulatory approvals.

A change in the outcome of any of these variables with respect to the development of any of our Product Candidates would significantly change the costs and timing associated with the development of that product candidate, and potentially other candidates.

Research and development activities account for a significant portion of our operating expenses. We expect our research and development expenses to increase significantly in future periods as we continue to implement our business strategy, which includes advancing our IntegraSynTM manufacturing approach to commercial scale and our drug candidates into and through clinical development, expanding our research and development efforts, including hiring additional personnel to support our research and development efforts, and ultimately seeking regulatory approvals for our drug candidates that successfully complete clinical trials. In addition, drug candidates in later stages of clinical development generally incur higher development costs than those in earlier stages of clinical development, primarily due to the increased size and duration of later-stage clinical trials. As a result, we expect our research and development expenses to increase as our drug candidates advance into later stages of clinical development. However, we do not believe that it is possible at this time to accurately project total program-specific expenses through to commercialization. There are numerous factors associated with the successful commercialization of any of our Product Candidates, including future trial design and various regulatory requirements, many of which cannot be determined with accuracy at this time based on our stage of development.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses consist of personnel-related costs, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation expense, for our personnel in executive, finance and accounting, human resources, business operations and other administrative functions, investor relations activities, legal fees related to corporate matters, fees paid for accounting and tax services, consulting fees and facility-related costs.

We expect our general and administrative expenses will increase for the foreseeable future to support our expanded infrastructure and increased costs of expanding our operations and operating as a public company. These increases will likely include increased expenses related to accounting, audit, legal, regulatory and tax-related services associated with maintaining compliance with exchange listing and SEC requirements, director and officer insurance premiums, and investor relations costs associated with operating as a public company.

Amortization and Depreciation

Intangible assets are comprised of intellectual property that we acquired in 2014 and 2015. The intellectual property is recorded at cost and is amortized on a straight-line basis over an estimated useful life of 18 years net of any accumulated impairment losses. Equipment and leasehold improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method based on their estimated useful lives.

Share-based Payments

Share-based payments is the stock-based compensation expense related to our granting of stock options to employees and others. The fair value, at the grant date, of equity-settled share awards is charged to our loss over the period for which the benefits of employees and others providing similar services are expected to be received. The vesting components of graded vesting employee awards are measured separately and expensed over the related tranche’s vesting period. The amount recognized as an expense is adjusted to reflect the number of share options expected to vest. The fair value of awards is calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model which considers the exercise price, current market price of the underlying shares, expected life of the award, risk-free interest rate, expected volatility and the dividend yield. Prior to July 1, 2018, each vesting tranche of equity classified non-employee awards were remeasured each reporting period with a final measurement date of each

 

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vesting tranche being its vesting date. Starting July 1, 2018, we early adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-07 which allowed us to align the accounting for non-employee awards to employee awards.

Other Income

Other income consists primarily of interest income earned on our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.

Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss)

Our assets and liabilities are translated from our Canadian dollar functional currency to the U.S. dollar presentation currency based on the exchange rate at the balance sheet date. Our income and expense, capital transactions and cash flows are translated to U.S. dollar presentation currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the transaction date or at an appropriate average exchange rate. Foreign currency translation adjustments to arrive at the presentation currency are recognized as a component of comprehensive income.

Results of Operations

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019

 

     Nine Months Ended
March 31,
               
     2020      2019      Change      % Change  
     (in thousands)                

Operating expenses:

           

Research and development and patents

   $ 4,844      $ 3,080      $ 1,764        57

General and administrative

     2,661        3,274        (613      (19 %) 

Amortization and depreciation

     86        89        (3      (3 %) 

Total operating expenses

     7,591        6,443        1,148        18

Interest income

     125        258        (133      (52 %) 

Foreign exchange (loss) gain

     143        14        129        921

Net loss

   $ (7,323    $ (6,171    $ (1,152      19

Research and Development and Patents Expenses

Research and development and patents expenses increased by $1.8 million, or 57%, from the nine months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the nine months ended March 31, 2020. The increase in research and development and patents expenses was primarily due to work associated with the commencement of clinical trials, the preclinical studies required for the regulatory application to initiate clinical trials for INM-755, and increased spending on our biosynthesis-based manufacturing program. This resulted in an increase in expenditures, including fees paid to our external contracts, including CROs and CDMOs, of $1.8 million and an increase in payroll and personnel-related expenses, including salaries, benefits and non-cash share-based compensation expense, of $0.1 million.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses were $2.7 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2020, compared to $3.3 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2019. The decrease of $0.6 million was primarily a result of reduced non-cash share-based compensation expense partially offset by higher accounting and legal expenses associated with preparing to register our securities with the SEC.

Interest income

Interest income of $0.1 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2020, decreased compared to the $0.3 million of interest income for the nine months ended March 31, 2019 as a result of decreased cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and lower amounts of interest bearing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.

 

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Comparison of the years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018:

 

     Year Ended June 30,                
     2019      2018      Change      % Change  
     (in thousands)                

Operating expenses:

           

Research and development and patents

   $ 5,126      $ 1,934      $ 3,192        165

General and administrative

     4,297        6,056        (1,759      (29 %) 

Amortization and depreciation

     119        118        1        1

Total operating expenses

     9,542        8,108        1,434        18

Interest income

     328        70        258        369

Foreign exchange (loss) gain

     (34      —          (34      —    

Net loss

   $ (9,248    $ (8,038    $ (1,210      15

Research and Development and Patents Expenses

Research and development and patents expenses increased by $3.2 million, or 165%, for the year ended June 30, 2019 from the year ended June 30, 2018. The increase in research and development and patents expenses was primarily due to work associated with the preclinical studies for INM-755 which were required for the regulatory application to initiate clinical trials for INM-755 in the second half of calendar year 2019 together with increased spending on our IntegraSynTM program. This resulted in an increase in expenditures, including fees paid to our external contracts, including CROs and CDMOs, of $2.2 million and an increase in payroll and personnel-related expenses, including salaries, benefits and non-cash share-based compensation expense, of $0.9 million.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses were $4.3 million for the year ended June 30, 2019, compared to $6.1 million for the year ended June 30, 2018. The decrease of $1.8 million was primarily a result of reduced non-cash share-based compensation expense and external investor relations activities. These decreases were partially offset primarily by higher accounting and legal expenses associated with preparing to register our securities with the SEC and higher personnel-related expenses incurred as a consequence of increased operations.

Interest income

Interest income increased by $0.3 million for the year ended June 30, 2019, compared to the year ended June 30, 2018 as a result of increased amounts of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments being invested in short-term securities with higher interest rates in 2019 compared to 2018.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Since our inception, we have not generated any revenue from any product sales or any other sources and have incurred significant operating losses and negative cash flows from our operations. We have not yet commercialized any of our product candidates and we do not expect to generate revenue from sales of any product candidates for several years, if at all. We have funded our operations to date primarily with proceeds from the sale of common shares.

As of March 31, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents of $7.0 million.

 

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The following table summarizes our cash flows for each of the periods presented:

 

(in thousands)    Year
Ended
June 30,
2019
     Year
Ended
June 30,
2018
     Nine
Months
Ended
March 31,
2020
     Nine
Months
Ended
March 31,
2019
 

Net cash used in operating activities

   $ (6,624    $ (3,696    $ (5,976    $ (4,819

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (2,088      (1,877      3,789        (3,823

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     205        18,880        —          154  

Effects of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents

     17        (148      (682      (163
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

   $ (8,490    $ 13,159      $ (2,869    $ (8,651
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating Activities

During the nine months ended March 31, 2020, we used cash in operating activities of $6.0 million, primarily resulting from our net loss of $7.3 million, partially offset primarily by non-cash share-based compensation expenses and an increase in working capital.

During the nine months ended March 31, 2019, we used cash in operating activities of $4.8 million, primarily resulting from our net loss of $6.2 million and a reduction in working capital, partially offset primarily by non-cash share-based compensation expenses.

During the year ended June 30, 2019, we used cash in operating activities of $6.6 million, primarily resulting from our net loss of $9.2 million, partially offset primarily by non-cash share-based compensation expenses of $2.3 million.

During the year ended June 30, 2018, we used cash in operating activities of $3.7 million, primarily resulting from our net loss of $8.0 million, partially offset primarily by non-cash share-based compensation expenses of $3.8 million.

Changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses in all periods were generally due to growth in our business, the advancement of our product candidates, and the timing of vendor invoicing and payments.

Investing Activities

During the nine months ended March 31, 2020, investing activities provided $3.8 million, consisting primarily of the net disposition of short-term investments to fund our operating activities.

During the nine months ended March 31, 2019, we used cash in investing activities of $3.8 million, consisting primarily of the net purchase of short-term investments.

During the year ended June 30, 2019, we used cash in investing activities of $2.1 million, consisting primarily of the net purchase of short-term investments.

During the year ended June 30, 2018, we used cash in investing activities of $1.9 million, consisting primarily of the purchase of short-term investments.

Financing Activities

During the nine months ended March 31, 2020, we had no cash provided by or used in financing activities.

 

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During the nine months ended March 31, 2019, we had cash provided by financing activities of $0.2 million from proceeds upon the exercise of stock options.

During the year ended June 30, 2019, we had cash provided by financing activities of $0.2 million, from proceeds upon the exercise of stock options.

During the year ended June 30, 2018, we had cash provided by financing activities of $18.9 million, primarily the result of $7.5 million gross proceeds from a January 2018 private placement of our common shares and $11.2 million gross proceeds from a June 2018 public offering in Canada of our common shares, which were both partially offset by cash share issue costs for the year of $1.7 million. In addition, we had $1.8 million of cash provided from the exercise of stock options and warrants.

Funding Requirements

We expect our expenses to increase substantially in connection with our ongoing research and development activities, particularly as we continue the research and development of and initiate clinical trials of our Product Candidates. In addition, upon listing on Nasdaq, we expect to incur additional costs associated with operating as a US-listed public company. As a result, we expect to incur substantial operating losses and negative operating cash flows for the foreseeable future.

We believe that the anticipated net proceeds from this offering, together with our existing cash and cash equivalents, will enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into calendar 2022. However, we have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong and we could exhaust our capital resources sooner than we expect.

Our funding requirements and timing and amount of our operating expenditures will depend largely on:

 

   

the progress, costs and results of our ongoing Phase I clinical trials;

 

   

the scope, progress, results and costs of discovery research, preclinical development, laboratory testing and clinical trials for our Product Candidates;

 

   

the scope, progress, results and costs of development of our IntegraSynTM manufacturing approach;

 

   

the number of and development requirements for other Product Candidates that we pursue;

 

   

the costs, timing and outcome of regulatory review of our Product Candidates;

 

   

our ability to enter into contract manufacturing arrangements for supply of API and manufacture of our Product Candidates and the terms of such arrangements;

 

   

our ability to establish and maintain strategic collaborations, licensing or other arrangements and the financial terms of such arrangements;

 

   

the costs and timing of future commercialization activities, including product manufacturing, sales, marketing and distribution, for any of our Product Candidates for which we may receive marketing approval;

 

   

the amount and timing of revenue, if any, received from commercial sales of our Product Candidates for which we receive marketing approval;

 

   

the costs and timing of preparing, filing and prosecuting patent applications, maintaining and enforcing our intellectual property and proprietary rights and defending any intellectual property-related claims;

 

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expansion costs of our operational, financial and management systems and increase personnel, including personnel to support our clinical development, manufacturing and commercialization efforts and our operations as a dual listed company; and

 

   

the costs to obtain, maintain, expand and protect our intellectual property portfolio.

A change in the outcome of any of these or other variables with respect to the development of any of our Product Candidates could significantly change the costs and timing associated with the development of that product candidate. We will need to continue to rely on additional financing to achieve our business objectives.

In addition to the variables described above, if and when any of our Product Candidates successfully complete development, we will incur substantial additional costs associated with regulatory filings, marketing approval, post-marketing requirements, maintaining our intellectual property rights, and regulatory protection, in addition to other commercial costs. We cannot reasonably estimate these costs at this time.

Until such time, if ever, as we can generate substantial product revenue, we expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of equity or debt financings and collaboration arrangements. We currently have no credit facility or committed sources of capital. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the future sale of equity securities, the ownership interests of our stockholders will be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our existing common stockholders. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of debt securities, these securities could contain covenants that would restrict our operations. We may require additional capital beyond our currently anticipated amounts, and additional capital may not be available on reasonable terms, or at all. If we raise additional funds through collaboration arrangements or other strategic transactions in the future, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams or Product Candidates, or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us. If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate development or future commercialization efforts or grant rights to develop and market Product Candidates that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market ourselves.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We did not have during the periods presented, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in the rules and regulations of the SEC.

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates

This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements included as part of this registration statement, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the revenue and expenses incurred during the reported periods. We base estimates on our historical experience, known trends and various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

The full details of our accounting policies are presented in Note 2 of our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2019 and Note 2 of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended March 31, 2020. These policies are considered by management to be essential to understanding the processes and reasoning that go into the preparation of our financial statements and the uncertainties that could have a bearing on its financial results. The significant accounting policies that we believe to be most critical in fully understanding and evaluating our financial results are research and development costs and share based payments.

 

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Research & Development and Patents costs:

Research and development and patents costs is a critical accounting estimate due to the magnitude and nature of the assumptions that are required to calculate third-party accrued and prepaid research and development expenses. Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred and include, but are not limited to, personnel compensation, including salaries and benefits, services provided by CROs that conduct preclinical studies, costs of filing and prosecuting patent applications, and lab supplies.

The amount of expenses recognized in a period related to service agreements is based on estimates of the work performed using an accrual basis of accounting. These estimates are based on services provided and goods delivered, contractual terms and experience with similar contracts. We monitor these factors and adjust our estimates accordingly.

Share-based payments:

The fair value, at the grant date, of equity share awards is charged to income or loss over the period for which the benefits of employees and others providing similar services are expected to be received, generally the vesting period. The corresponding accrued entitlement is recorded in contributed surplus. The amount recognized as an expense is adjusted to reflect the number of share options expected to vest. The fair value of awards is calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model which considers the following factors:

 

   

Exercise price

 

   

Current market price of the underlying shares

 

   

Expected life of the award

 

   

Risk-free interest rate

 

   

Expected volatility

 

   

Dividend yield

Management determines costs for share-based payments using market-based valuation techniques. The fair value of the market-based and performance-based share awards are determined at the date of grant using generally accepted valuation techniques. Assumptions are made and judgment used in applying valuation techniques. These assumptions and judgments include estimating the future volatility of the stock price, expected dividend yield, forfeiture rates and corporate performance. For employee awards, we use the “simplified method” to determine the expected term of options. Under this method, the expected term represents the average of the vesting period and the contractual term. Such judgments and assumptions are inherently uncertain. Changes in these assumptions affect the fair value estimates. If we had made different judgments and assumptions than those described previously, the amount of our share-based payments expense, net loss and net loss per common shares amounts could have been materially different.

Going Concern

The financial statements included in this registration statement were prepared on a going concern basis. The going concern basis assumes that we will continue in operation for the foreseeable future and will be able to realize our assets and discharge our liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business.

We have a history of losses including a net comprehensive loss of $9.2 million and $8.3 million for the years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $8.0 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2020 and had an accumulated deficit of approximately $63.0 million as at March 31, 2020.

We expect our expenses to increase substantially in connection with our ongoing research and development activities, particularly as we continue the research and development of and initiate clinical trials of our Product Candidates. As a result, we expect to incur substantial operating losses and negative operating cash flows for the foreseeable future.

 

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Based on our current operating plan, we expect that our existing cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments and expected grant revenue and interest income will enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements until approximately the end of the second quarter of calendar year 2021. However, we have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong and we could exhaust our capital resources sooner than we expect.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

A description of recently issued accounting pronouncements that may potentially impact our financial position and results of operations is disclosed in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Financial Instruments and Risk Management

We are exposed through our operations to the following financial risks:

 

   

Market Risk including foreign currency risk and interest rate risk

 

   

Credit Risk

 

   

Liquidity Risk

In common with all other businesses, we are exposed to risks that arise from any use of financial instruments. This section of the MD&A describes our objectives, policies and processes for managing those risks and the methods used to measure them. Further quantitative information in respect of these risks is presented throughout our consolidated financial statements included in this registration statement.

There have been no substantive changes in our exposure to financial instrument risks, its objectives, policies and processes for managing those risks or the methods used to measure them from previous years unless otherwise stated in this discussion and analysis.

General Objectives, Policies and Processes:

The Board has overall responsibility for the determination of our risk management objectives and policies and, while retaining ultimate responsibility for them, has delegated the authority for designing and operating processes that ensure the effective implementation of the objectives and policies to our management team. The effectiveness of the processes put in place and the appropriateness of the objectives and policies it sets are reviewed periodically by the Board if and when there are any changes or updates required.

The overall objective of the Board is to set policies that seek to reduce risk as far as possible without unduly affecting our competitiveness and flexibility. Further details regarding these policies are set out below.

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risks

Market risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. Market prices are comprised of four types of risk: foreign currency risk, interest rate risk, commodity price risk and equity price risk. We do not currently have significant commodity risk or equity price risk.

Foreign Currency Risk:

Foreign currency risk is the risk that the future cash flows or fair value of our financial instruments that are denominated in a currency that is not our functional currency (Canadian dollars) will fluctuate due to changes in foreign exchange rates. Portions of our cash and cash equivalents and accounts payable and accrued liabilities are denominated in U.S. dollars. Accordingly, we are exposed to fluctuations in the U.S. and Canadian dollar exchange rates.

 

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As at March 31, 2020, we had a net excess of U.S. dollar denominated cash and cash equivalents in excess of U.S. dollar denominated accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $1,480,380. The U.S. dollar financial assets generally result from holding U.S. dollar cash to settle anticipated near-term accounts payable and accrued liabilities denominated in U.S. dollars. The U.S. dollar financial liabilities generally result from purchases of supplies and services from suppliers from outside of Canada.

Each change of 1% in the U.S. dollar in relation to the Canadian dollar results in a gain or loss, with a corresponding effect on cash flows, of $14,804 based on the March 31, 2020 net U.S. dollar assets (liabilities) position. During the nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we recorded a foreign exchange gains of $140,999 and $13,656, respectively.

As at March 31, 2020, we had a net excess of Euros denominated accounts payable and accrued liabilities in excess of Euros denominated cash and cash equivalents of €192,672. The Euros financial assets generally result from holding Euros cash to settle anticipated near-term accounts payable and accrued liabilities denominated in Euros. The Euros financial liabilities generally result from purchases of supplies and services from suppliers from outside of Canada.

Each change of 1% in the Euros in relation to the U.S. dollar results in a gain or loss, with a corresponding effect on cash flows, of $2,117 based on the March 31, 2020 net U.S. dollar assets (liabilities) position. During the nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we recorded a foreign exchange gain of $1,678 and $nil, respectively.

Interest Rate Risk:

Interest rate risk is the risk that future cash flows will fluctuate as a result of changes in market interest rates. As at March 31, 2020, holdings of cash and cash equivalent of $5,051,229 are subject to floating interest rates. In addition, we held fixed rate guaranteed investment certificates, cashable within ninety days of purchase, with a book value of $nil. The balance of our cash holdings of $1,917,401 as at March 31, 2020 are non-interest bearing.

Our current policy is to invest excess cash in guaranteed investment certificates or interest-bearing accounts of major Canadian chartered banks or credit unions with comparable credit ratings. We regularly monitor compliance to our cash management policy.

As at March 31, 2020, we do not have any borrowings. Interest rate risk is limited to potential decreases on the interest rate offered on cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments held with chartered Canadian financial institutions.

Credit Risk:

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to us if a customer or a counter party to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. Financial instruments which are potentially subject to credit risk for us consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments are maintained with financial institutions of reputable credit and may be redeemed upon demand.

The carrying amount of financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure. Credit risk exposure is limited through maintaining cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments with high-credit quality financial institutions and management considers this risk to be minimal for all cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments assets based on changes that are reasonably possible at each reporting date.

 

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Liquidity Risk:

Liquidity risk is the risk that we will not be able to meet our financial obligations as they become due. Our policy is to ensure that we will always have sufficient cash to allow us to meet our liabilities when they become due, under both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to our reputation. The key to success in managing liquidity is the degree of certainty in the cash flow projections. If future cash flows are fairly uncertain, the liquidity risk increases. As at March 31, 2020, we had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $7.0 million, current liabilities of $1.4 million and a working capital surplus of $5.9 million.

Financial Instruments

Our cash and cash equivalents of $7.0 million as at March 31, 2020 are measured at amortized cost and short-term investments, of less than $0.1 million, are measured at amortized cost.

Emerging Growth Company Status

As an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act, we may delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. Other exemptions and reduced reporting requirements under the JOBS Act for emerging growth companies include presentation of only two years of audited financial statements in a registration statement for an IPO, an exemption from the requirement to provide an auditor’s report on internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, an exemption from any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation, and less extensive disclosure about our executive compensation arrangements. Additionally, the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards. This allows an emerging growth company to delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We may elect to avail ourselves of this exemption and, if we do, while we are an emerging growth company, we will not be subject to new or revised accounting standards at the same time that they become applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. As a result, our consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.

We may remain classified as an emerging growth company until the end of the fiscal year in which the fifth anniversary of our initial registered offering in the U.S. occurs, although if the market value of our common shares that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any December 31 before that time or if we have annual gross revenues of $1.07 billion or more in any fiscal year, we would cease to be an emerging growth company as of June 30 of the following year. We also would cease to be an emerging growth company if we issue more than $1 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period.

 

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BUSINESS

This section discusses our business assuming the completion of all of the transactions described in this prospectus.

Overview

We are a clinical stage pharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of prescription-based products targeting treatments for diseases with high unmet medical needs as well as developing proprietary manufacturing technologies.

We are developing an integrated biosynthesis-based manufacturing approach, called IntegraSynTM, for synthesizing pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids, as well as multiple product candidates. We are dedicated to delivering new therapeutic alternatives to patients who may benefit from cannabinoid-based medicines. Our approach leverages on the several thousand year history of health benefits attributed to the Cannabis plant and brings this anecdotal information into the 21st century by applying tried, tested and true pharmaceutical drug development discipline and a scientific approach to establish non-plant-derived (synthetically manufactured), individual cannabinoid compounds as clinically proven, FDA-approved medicines. While our activities do not involve direct use of Cannabis nor extracts from the plant, we note that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) has, to date, not approved any marketing application for Cannabis for the treatment of any disease or condition and has approved only one Cannabis-derived and three Cannabis-related drug products. Our APIs, which are the ingredients that give medicines their effects, are synthetically made and, therefore, we have no interaction with the Cannabis plant. We do not grow nor utilize Cannabis nor its extracts in any of our products; our products are applied topically (not inhaled nor ingested); and, we do not utilize THC or CBD, the most common cannabinoid compounds that are typically extracted from the Cannabis plant, in any of our products. The API under development for our initial two drug candidates, INM-755 for EB and INM-088 for glaucoma, is CBN. Additional uses of both INM-755 and INM-088 are being explored, as well as the application of additional rare cannabinoids to treat diseases.

    

LOGO

We believe we are positioned to develop multiple product candidates in diseases which may benefit from medicines based on rare cannabinoid compounds. Most currently approved cannabinoid therapies are based specifically on CBD and/or THC and are often delivered orally, which has limitations and drawbacks, such as side effects (including the psychoactive effects of THC). Currently, we intend to deliver our rare cannabinoid pharmaceuticals through various topical formulations (cream for dermatology, eye drops for ocular diseases) as a way of enabling treatment of the specific disease at the site of disease while seeking to minimize systemic exposure and any related unwanted systemic side effects, including any drug-drug interactions and any metabolism of the active pharmaceutical ingredient by the liver. THC and CBD can be obtained either from plant extraction or chemically synthesized. We plan to access rare cannabinoids via all non-extraction approaches, including our IntegraSynTM approach, thus negating any interaction with or exposure to the Cannabis plant.

 

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LOGO

Corporate Information

We were originally incorporated in the Province of British Columbia, under the BCBCA, on May 19, 1981 with the name “Kadrey Energy Corporation”. We have undergone a number of corporate name and business sector changes since its incorporation, ultimately changing its name to “InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.” on October 6, 2014 to signify our intent to specialize in cannabinoid pharmaceutical product development.

Our management team is comprised of highly experienced pharmaceutical and biotechnology executives with successful track records in researching, developing, gaining approval for and commercializing novel medicines to treat serious diseases. Each member of our management team has over 20 to 30 years of industry experience, including our CEO, CFO, and (Sr.) Vice Presidents of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs, of Preclinical Research and Development, and of Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls. Together, this team has covered the spectrum of pharmaceutical drug discovery, preclinical research, formulation development, manufacturing, human clinical trials, regulatory submissions and approval, and global commercialization. Additionally, the team has significant experience in company formation, capital raises, mergers/acquisitions, business development, and sales and marketing in the pharmaceutical industry. Our Board is constituted by individuals with significant experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Rationale for Use of CBN in Pharmaceutical Drug Development

CBN is one of several rare cannabinoids naturally produced in the Cannabis plant, albeit at significantly lower levels relative to the more commonly known THC and CBD. Despite their common origin, different cannabinoids have been observed to have distinct physiological properties, We are specifically exploring these unique effects of CBN, as well as other rare cannabinoids, and their therapeutic potential to treat disease.

 

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Rare vs. Major Cannabinoids: Types, Prevalence & Application

LOGO

Our extensive preclinical testing has identified several unique properties of CBN that outperformed both THC and CBD in various disease-related assays and models. CBN can act with higher potency when interacting with some receptor systems in the body, while acting with lower potency for others.

INM-755, our lead product candidate, is being developed as a topical skin cream formulation containing CBN for the treatment of symptoms related to EB, a rare genetic skin disease characterized by fragile skin that blisters easily from minimal friction that causes shearing of the skin layers. The blisters become open wounds that do not heal well.

In addition to relief of symptoms, inflammation, pain, and others, we believe INM-755 may impact the underlying disease by enhancing skin integrity in a subset of EB patients. We have completed more than 30 preclinical pharmacology and toxicology studies to investigate the effects of CBN. Several of these nonclinical studies explored the effect on important symptoms such as pain and inflammation. In in vitro pharmacology studies, CBN demonstrated activity in reducing markers of inflammation. CBN upregulated expression of a type of keratin called keratin 15, or “K15”, which might lead to skin strengthening and reduced blister formation in EB simplex, or “EBS”, patients with mutations in another keratin called keratin 14, or “K14”. The anti-inflammatory activity of CBN may be beneficial in healing chronic wounds caused by prolonged inflammation. Following a review of our toxicology studies, the Netherlands National Competent Authority and Ethics Committee approved the initiation of a Phase I clinical study in healthy volunteers. To date we have safety data with INM-755 in 22 healthy adult volunteers from our first Phase I study (755-101-HV) in which subjects had the INM-755 cream applied to their upper backs daily for 14 days. An interim safety analysis of the first 16 subjects was reviewed by the Netherlands National Competent Authority and Ethics Committee and determined to be adequate to allow initiation of the second Phase I study testing INM-755 cream on small wounds.

A regulatory application to support our first Phase I clinical study in healthy volunteers with INM-755 (755-101-HV) was submitted November 4, 2019 and approved December 6, 2019. The initial Phase I clinical study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of INM-755 cream in healthy volunteers with normal, intact skin; the volunteers had cream applied once daily for a period of 14 days. All subjects in this first clinical trial completed treatment and evaluations by March 27, 2020. A regulatory application was approved April 17, 2020, for a second Phase I clinical study of healthy volunteers to test the local safety and tolerability of applying sterile INM-755 cream to small wounds once daily for 14 days. As with the initial Phase I trial, the second trial (755-102-HV) will be conducted with two different drug concentrations and a vehicle control. The safety of INM-755 will continue to be assessed throughout its clinical development.

 

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Assuming that INM-755 is well tolerated in the two Phase I clinical studies in healthy volunteers, the next step will be to study INM-755 in patients with EB (Study 755-201-EB). Regulatory applications to support that global trial are planned for 4Q2020 and 1Q2021.

CBN is also the active ingredient in our second drug candidate, INM-088, which is in preclinical studies as a potential treatment for glaucoma. We are conducting studies to test INM-088’s ability to provide neuroprotection and reduce intraocular pressure in the eye. We compared several cannabinoids, including CBD and THC, to determine which cannabinoid was the best drug candidate for the treatment of glaucoma. Of all the cannabinoids examined in preclinical studies, CBN demonstrated the most optimal neuroprotection effect. Furthermore, CBN also exhibited intraocular pressure reduction capability. INM-088 is in advanced formulation development.

Current treatments for glaucoma primarily focus on decreasing fluid build-up in the eye. Our data has shown that INM-088 may provide neuroprotection in addition to modulating intraocular pressure by improving drainage of fluid in the eye. Thus far, we have conducted numerous preclinical pharmacology studies to demonstrate these effects.

For all current and future Product Candidates we intend to submit NDAs (or their international equivalents) in most major jurisdictions, including the U.S.

We are actively establishing a broad patent portfolio to protect our commercial interests in utilizing CBN and other rare cannabinoids across these and other diseases. We have also filed multiple patent applications for our integrated, biosynthesis-based manufacturing approach. If granted, these patents may confer meaningful protection to the commercial potential for these technologies.

Our Strengths

We are the only clinical-stage company with both multiple cannabinoid drug candidates, in multiple therapeutic categories, that also is developing an integrated biosynthesis-based manufacturing approach, called IntegraSynTM, to meet the needs of the rapidly evolving pharmaceutical drug needs for rare cannabinoids. Key strengths include:

Experienced executive team and board of directors with proven track records.

One key critical success factor in the field of pharmaceutical drug development is the experience and skill set of the individuals leading the company. We have been successful in attracting and retaining executive and directors with extensive (20+ years) experience in all facets of the pharmaceutical industry, including fundamental research and development, drug formulation, clinical trial execution, regulatory approvals, pharmaceutical commercialization, company and capital formation, business development, legal, and corporate governance. Our leadership team is well-poised to lead use through all facets of drug development and into regulatory approval and commercialization, either internally or externally via partnerships. It is this group of individuals that will help optimize our chances for success.

Innovative IntegraSynTM manufacturing approach.

IntegraSynTM is our integrated cannabinoid synthesis approach designed to efficiently produce bio-identical, economical, pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids. IntegraSyn’sTM scalable and flexible manufacturing approach integrates multiple commercially proven methods to efficiently produce cannabinoids utilizing cost-effective processes.

 

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Leading experts in the therapeutic potential of the rare cannabinoid CBN.

We have invested significant time and effort in understanding characteristics and therapeutic potential of our first rare cannabinoid drug candidate, CBN. As such, we are positioning ourselves to be a world leader in the pharmaceutical development of this cannabinoid. We anticipate that CBN will be the first of several such drug candidates.

Targeting medical applications of rare cannabinoids to treat diseases with high unmet medical needs.

Significant investment in understanding the therapeutic potential of CBN has provided us with important insight as to how best develop this class of compounds for treating various diseases. We intend to apply this know-how across several disease that may benefit from cannabinoid-based medicines.

Diverse portfolio of patent applications covering a spectrum of commercial opportunities.

Success in pharmaceutical markets often rests with the strength of intellectual property, including patents, to protect our commercialization interests. We have filed several patents on our novel findings and expect to continue to do so.

Our Business Strategy

Our goal is to establish rare cannabinoid pharmaceutical products as important medicines for diseases with high unmet medical needs by pursuing the following strategies:

Advance INM-755 and INM-088 through preclinical and early clinical development, thereby establishing important human proof-of-concept in multiple therapeutic applications.

These activities are well underway, at various stages, for both INM-755 for diseases of the skin and INM-088 for diseases of the eye. We have the internal capabilities to design and execute, together with multiple external vendors, the preclinical data sets and clinical studies required to advance pharmaceutical drugs towards regulatory submission.

Establishing partnerships for our various technologies, at different stages of development, to expedite their path towards commercialization in a resource-efficient manner.

We do not currently have an organization for the sales, marketing and distribution of pharmaceutical products. With respect to the commercialization of each Product Candidate, we may rely on i) a “go-it-alone” commercialization effort; ii) out-licensing to third parties; or iii) co-promotion agreements with strategic collaborators for of our Product Candidates. To develop the appropriate commercial infrastructure internally, we would have to invest financial and management resources, some of which would have to be deployed prior to any confirmation our products will be approved by regulatory authorities. Any decision on a “go-it-alone” commercialization effort versus out-licensing to third parties will depend on various factors including, but not limited to, the complexity, the expertise required and related cost of building any such infrastructure for our Product Candidates. For INM-755 in EB, it is conceivable that we could oversee the clinical trials, given the relatively small patient sizes expected for such trials, and build the requisite internal commercialization infrastructure to self-market the product to EB clinics, which are limited in number and provide direct access to the vast majority of EB patients. For INM-088 in glaucoma, because of the potentially large clinical trial patient enrollees (possibly several thousand) and the extensive sales effort required to reach the many thousand prescribing physicians, we may consider exploring partnership opportunities early in the development process.

Develop a cost-efficient manufacturing source for high quality rare cannabinoids as API for our core internal drug candidate pipeline, for licensing opportunities of non-core drug candidates, as well as a potential source for cannabinoids in the non-pharmaceutical space.

Extraction of rare cannabinoids from the plant is economically impractical for commercial applications. We are developing an integrative cannabinoid synthesis approach designed to produce bio-identical,

 

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economical, pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids in a cost-efficient manner, called IntegraSynTM. The cannabinoids that will be produced from IntegraSynTM are targeted to be bio-identical to the naturally occurring cannabinoids. Our manufacturing approach is designed to offer superior yield, control, consistency and quality of rare cannabinoids when compared to alternative methods. IntegraSynTM may address the increasing pharmaceutical and other commercial demands for competitively-price cannabinoids while providing access to rare cannabinoids that are otherwise impractical to extract from the plant.

Continue to explore the potential of a wide array of rare cannabinoids to treat diseases based on our significant history in cannabinoid research and lead drug candidate identification.

Individual cannabinoids affect a range of different receptors in the human body, including, but not limited to, known endocannabinoid receptors. As such, they are responsible for a wide variety of pharmacological effects. However, due to the limited research into these varying effects, a full understanding of the role of each cannabinoid compound remains elusive. As a company, we have been formally investigating the utility of cannabinoids in treating disease for over 5 years.

We have numerous options for commercializing our various technologies. At the core of our activities, we are a drug development company focused on commercializing important cannabinoid-based medicines to treat diseases with high unmet medical needs.

Cannabinoid Science Overview

Cannabinoids are a class of compounds that exist throughout nature and can be found in significant numbers and varying quantities in the Cannabis plant. The two predominant, or major, cannabinoids in the Cannabis plant are THC and CBD. These two exist in relatively large quantities in the plant and can be easily extracted, which has led to significant research into these two compounds over the previous several decades. Nevertheless, there are over 100 additional cannabinoid compounds found in the plant, referred to as minor or rare cannabinoids. Each cannabinoid has one or more specific chemical differences that may confer unique physiological properties in humans.

Cannabinoid receptors are found throughout the body and are involved in many different functions, such as pain perception, memory, immune function and sleep. Cannabinoids act as messengers that bind to cannabinoid receptors, as well as other receptors, signaling the endocannabinoid system into action. The relevance of the endocannabinoid system on many important physiological processes has made cannabinoids an important target to potentially treat a number of diseases and symptoms.

Two cannabinoid receptors in the human body are the endocannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1), which is more significant to the central nervous system, and endocannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2), which is more common with the immune system. Scientific literature suggests that CBN has a greater effect on the immune system than on the central nervous system; however, information on the effects of CBN on the endocannabinoid system is limited. We continue to research the effects of CBN and how it interacts and modulates receptors in the body.

 

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LOGO

Significant investigation is currently underway to determine the role of cannabinoids in affecting other receptor systems in the human body. Extensive preclinical testing undertaken by us has identified several unique properties of CBN that outperformed both THC and CBD in various disease-related assays and models. CBN can act with higher potency when interacting with some receptor systems in the body, while acting with lower potency for others.

Physical and Chemical Properties of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient CBN

CBN is a stable, highly lipophilic cannabinoid compound. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in organic solvents.

 

International Non-proprietary Name:    Cannabinol (abbreviated CBN)
International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry Name:    6,6,9-trimethyl-3-pentyl-benzo[c]chromen-1-ol
Chemical Abstracts Service Registration Number:    521-35-7
United States Adopted Name:    Cannabinol

The molecular formula is C21H26O2 and the molecular weight is 310.43 g/mol. CBN has no chiral centers.

 

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Figure 1

Structural Formula of CBN

 

LOGO

CBN occurs naturally as a trace component of Cannabis, or as a degradation product of D9-THC. However, our product candidates utilizing CBN contain highly purified synthetic CBN, rather than a biological extract.

CBN as our Lead API

As the API in our lead therapeutic programs in dermatology (INM-755) and ocular disease (INM-088), CBN has demonstrated several compelling features, including:

 

   

A rare cannabinoid with unique physiological properties;

 

   

A natural compound, but designated as a new chemical entity, or “NCE” for pharmaceutical development;

 

   

Found in trace amounts in the plant and impractical to extract; and

 

   

Our preclinical studies show therapeutic potential for dermatology and ocular diseases.

We believe that we offer a differentiated approach to selecting and delivering rare cannabinoids vis-à-vis other current competitors, many of whom are exclusively focused on THC and/or CBD as their therapeutic agents. We believe that rare cannabinoids in general, and CBN in particular, represent significant opportunities to treat a wide spectrum of diseases with high unmet medical need. In our preclinical testing, CBN has demonstrated therapeutic potential beyond CBD for several symptoms and disease-modifying effects for dermatological conditions and has demonstrated benefits beyond CBD and THC for ocular diseases. We believe that a topical application of CBN is targeted to maximize the clinical benefit at the disease site (skin, eye) while minimizing the systemic exposure and any corresponding adverse effects.

Additionally, our IntegraSynTM manufacturing approach may help unlock access to rare cannabinoids for further pharmaceutical development as a source of cost-efficient, high purity API.

Our Product Candidates and Technologies

Development of a Biosynthesis-based Process for the Manufacturing of Cannabinoids

Introduction:

While there are over 100 different individual cannabinoids in the Cannabis plant, the two most well-known and studied compounds are also the two that occur in the largest quantities: THC and CBD. Due to their relative abundance in the Cannabis plant, it is also only THC and CBD that can currently be extracted economically. Among other challenges, the expense of extraction – or that of synthetic manufacturing – of the remaining minor or rare cannabinoids, may be orders of magnitude greater than that of THC and CBD.

 

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Nevertheless, like the major cannabinoids THC and CBD, these rare cannabinoids may hold very important physiological benefits in humans. The challenge, and opportunity, that we have identified, and seek to solve, is engineering an integrated manufacturing approach, specifically for the production of pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids – with an immediate focus on the rare cannabinoids – which is pure, cost-efficient, and consistently yields bio-identical cannabinoids as compared to the compounds found in nature, among several other benefits. We believe that providing this solution would be a critical success factor not only for our drug development strategy, but also for other biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies as well.

In 2015, we commenced the development of a biosynthesis process for the manufacturing of cannabinoids through a research collaboration with Dr. Vikramaditya Yadav from the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering at the University of British Columbia. Utilizing the basis of a specific vector created for us, Dr. Yadav initiated a Research and Development Project titled “The Metabolic Engineering of yeast and bacteria for synthesis of cannabinoids and Cannabis-derived terpenoids” under a collaborative research agreement. Subsequently, we signed a Technology Assignment Agreement with the University of British Columbia whereby we retain sole worldwide rights to all patents emergent from the technology under development in exchange for a royalty of less than 1% on sales revenues from products utilizing cannabinoids manufactured using the technology and a single digit royalty on any sub-licensing revenues. Total commitments under research agreements associated with this collaboration total CA$418,044 of which all but CA$73,500 have been paid to date.

Microorganisms do not naturally produce cannabinoids nor the enzymes required for their assembly. However, utilizing genome engineering to modify their metabolism, we have systematically introduced different aspects of the Cannabis plant’s metabolic pathways into a bacteria (E. coli), referred to as a host, and have reported what we believe to be the first-of-its-kind production of fully differentiated cannabinoids in this bacteria. This research served as the basis for the development of a new, integrated approach to cannabinoid manufacturing that we refer to as IntegraSynTM. IntegraSynTM is a flexible, integrative cannabinoid synthesis approach utilizing novel enzyme(s) to efficiently produce bio-identical, economical, pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids without the risk and high-resource requirements of an agriculture growing operation.

In early research, we utilized the specific gene sequences from the Cannabis plant that encode the instructions to make specific enzymes that enable cannabinoid synthesis and subsequently transferred these genes into E. coli. This intervention converts the bacterium into a manufacturing system that produces substantial quantities of the target cannabinoids. This technology may provide an opportunity for industrial-scale manufacturing of cannabinoids, which we believe would be a significant improvement over existing manufacturing platforms such as direct extraction from Cannabis plants or chemical synthesis. Specifically, direct extraction is quite cumbersome, time-consuming and relatively low yielding for all but a few of the cannabinoid compounds. In contrast, the use of microorganisms for manufacturing cannabinoids eliminates the need for an agricultural-centric process, including planting, growing, harvesting and extraction. There are also economic and environmental advantages including substantially reduced resource requirements (e.g., water, electricity, manpower, etc.). Furthermore, the agricultural approach has several hard-to-remove impurities (e.g., pesticides, etc.), potentially presenting safety issues. As with all crops, yield fluctuations influenced by the environment present an additional risk. Only a few of the 100+ cannabinoids can currently be extracted from the plant in sufficient quantities to make the process economically viable. For certain cannabinoids, chemical synthesis, by comparison, can be challenging and expensive due to the complexity of these molecules. For these reasons, we believe that a modified biosynthetic approach may be superior to both of these alternatives for cannabinoid production.

Cannabinoids are prenylated polyketides that are derived from fatty acid and terpenoid precursors. The biosynthesis of these molecules involves four metabolic pathways, two of which originate from central carbon metabolism. The first pathway (the Terpenoid pathway referenced in Figure 1 below) culminates with the synthesis of geranyl pyrophosphate, or “GPP”, and neryl pyrophosphate, or “NPP”. These molecules are terpenoid building blocks, or precursors. The second cannabinoid biosynthetic pathway, or the Polyketide

 

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pathway, is a truncated version of a polyketide biosynthetic pathway and results in the second requisite precursor, either: olivetolic acid, or “OA”, and/or divarinic acid, or “DVA”. The polyketide precursors subsequently combine with the terpenoid precursors in the third pathway, which comprises a single, specialized enzyme in the plant, to yield the ‘gateway’ cannabinoids, the cannabinoids that act as precursor molecules for further differentiation into all of the others. For instance, OA combines with GPP to yield the gateway cannabinoid cannabigerolic acid, or “CBGA”. The gateway cannabinoids are subsequently modified in the fourth pathway to yield cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinolic acid and cannabidiolic acid. We refer to the fourth pathway as the down-stream pathway involving the transformation of the acid form of the cannabinoids into the non-acid form via enzymes called synthases. Synthesis of CBGA is the most dominant pathway in the plant, resulting in high quantities of the down-stream cannabinoids THC and CBD. Other combinations of the various precursors result in different gateway cannabinoids which, in turn, leads to diversification into the 100+ cannabinoids.

Figure 1:

LOGO

© InMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and University of British Columbia. All rights reserved.

Figure 1: Synthesis of the gateway cannabinoid CBGA is the most prevalent pathway in the Cannabis plant, leading to high levels of both THC and CBD. Our technology, IntegraSynTM, is designed to mimic the natural biosynthesis of cannabinoids starting with an E. coli biofermentation process combined with additional common pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies.

Initially, we explored the use of several potential hosts for cannabinoid biosynthesis, including the bacterium E. coli and the yeast S. cerevisiae. Our preliminary investigations identified E. coli as a superior host for production of the primary gateway cannabinoid, CBGA.

Our earlier research led to the successful construction of the terpenoid biosynthetic pathway and the gateway pathway for synthesis of CBGA and the down-stream diversification pathways for synthesis of other cannabinoids. We have confirmed the biosynthesis of the cannabinoids using qualified High-Performance Liquid Chromatography methodologies and Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, or “H-NMR”, instrumentation.

Our goal for the biosynthesis program has always been to achieve the simplest, most efficient, scalable, flexible and economical solution with the least steps and fastest production cycle, to make bio-identical cannabinoids to those found in nature. While developing our bacterial biosynthesis system over the past five years, we further optimized the fermentation conditions and the purification processes. However, we identified

 

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several limitations associated with the traditional biosynthesis process. Working with our CDMOs, we have continued development and optimization of our manufacturing processes that led to the development of IntegraSynTM.

IntegraSynTM is designed to potentially overcome the limitations of traditional cannabinoid production approaches. Extraction from the plant of rare cannabinoids can be prohibitively expensive due to the limited quantity of these chemicals in the plant; is a resource intensive process with a large carbon footprint; requires extended, agricultural-related cycle times; and, may face certain quality and consistency issues related to pesticide removal, which may also face import/export restrictions. Chemical synthesis is a standard pharmaceutical manufacturing process but may be limited in its ability to manufacture bio-identical cannabinoids, depending on the complexity of the target cannabinoid; removal of non-bio-identical isomers from the final product may result in significant loss of yield; and, chemical synthesis may prove to be complicated and costly to scale-up due to purification techniques involved. Biosynthesis as a standalone process may be limited in its final product yield due to the bioburden/stress placed on the microbe due to the complexity of the final products; there may be separation and purification challenges when isolating the cannabinoid from the mixture; and, the process costs and complexity may increase with each differentiated cannabinoid.

IntegraSynTM integrates various pharmaceutical manufacturing processes to maximize yield and minimize the cost of cannabinoid synthesis. We utilize proprietary, high efficiency enzymes produced via the E. coli biofermentation portion of the IntegraSynTM approach for the production of a cannabinoid. Our enzymes are used in combination with cost-effective yet sophisticated substrates (or starting materials) to produce a cannabinoid in bulk via a biotransformation process, which is then further processed with downstream purification steps including separation, purification and drying. This cannabinoid can be inventoried in bulk and used either as a finished API cannabinoid product or as a starting material for other cannabinoids. This further differentiation can utilize any one of several well-established manufacturing approaches – including enzymatic biotransformation and traditional chemical synthesis – to optimize yield, time and cost.

IntegraSynTM makes cost-efficient use of sophisticated starting materials, requires fewer costly steps from precursor substrates all the way through to end-product, and is designed as a high-yield manufacturing process. Furthermore, this manufacturing method is flexible in shifting production from one cannabinoid to another under GMP conditions. Our initial data demonstrated substantial increase in cannabinoid production yield per fermentation batch compared to our traditional biosynthesis method. Final cost of goods for individual cannabinoids is driven by several factors including, among others: efficiency of the enzyme(s) used; number of manufacturing steps; type of manufacturing equipment / processes used; and, final yield of the entire manufacturing process.

Targeted Benefits of IntegraSynTM:

 

  A.

Improved yields beyond traditional biosynthesis or other standard chemical manufacturing methods for various cannabinoids

 

  B.

Cost-efficient due to minimization of expensive manufacturing steps and cost-effective use of sophisticated raw materials

 

  C.

Flexible, modular approach, able to shift from production of one cannabinoid to another

 

  D.

Accessibility to rare cannabinoids which are otherwise impractical/expensive to extract from the plant

 

  E.

Scalable to meet market demand of cannabinoids for pharmaceutical products or other purposes

 

  F.

Sustainable approach with less environmental impact than plant-grow-harvest-extract-purify methods

 

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Next steps in the further development of IntegraSynTM, all of which are currently ongoing, include:

 

   

Continue to optimize and scale-up the IntegraSynTM process to larger vessels, whereby protocols will be developed to optimize the manufacturing parameters associated with the entire process with the Almac Group (UK);

 

   

Conduct analytical assays to support batch production

 

   

Scale-up process to be GMP ready

 

   

Continue efforts to optimize pathways to further diversify the number of cannabinoids produced using our technology;

 

   

Identify potential partnership opportunities.

We currently view our options for achieving GMP production capabilities as three-fold: (a) building our own dedicated biosynthesis facility; (b) accessing existing manufacturing capacity via leases with third parties; or (c) licensing our process/know-how to a CDMO with existing infrastructure to produce the requisite preclinical, clinical and commercial-scale supply of our Product Candidates.

Other Applications of our IntegraSynTM Approach:

While the main objective in developing our IntegraSynTM approach remains to innovate an integrative, efficient and cost-effective method for the production of cannabinoids for use in our pharmaceutical Product Candidates, we remain optimistic that there may exist additional business opportunities for us to monetize this technology, including but not limited to supplying cannabinoid drugs to the broader pharmaceutical industry. We continue to consider this, and other opportunities, in order to optimize value for our company. Success in this strategy will be largely dependent on the ability of IntegraSynTM-produced cannabinoid products to be price competitive with other technologies.

Competitive Conditions:

Other methods of synthetic cannabinoid manufacturing that are currently being investigated by several entities include:

 

   

Biosynthesis (generation of the final compound inside a single system) using yeast, non-E. coli bacteria, or other approaches (algae, etc.) as a host organism;

 

   

Synthetic chemistry; and

 

   

Combinations of these above-listed technologies.

Several companies (see chart below) are active in the cannabinoid manufacturing space including BayMedica, BioVectra, CB Therapeutics, Cellibre, Ginko Bioworks, Hyasynth, Intrexon, KinetoChem, Librede, Purisys, and Teewinot Life Sciences, among several others.

 

 

 

    

 

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LOGO

Key Milestones:

On May 21, 2015, we commenced the development of our biosynthesis process for the manufacturing of cannabinoids through a research collaboration with Dr. Vikramaditya Yadav from the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering at the University of British Columbia under a project titled “The Metabolic Engineering of yeast and bacteria for synthesis of cannabinoids and Cannabis derived terpenoids”. On May 31, 2017, we signed a Technology Assignment Agreement with the University of British Columbia whereby we retain sole worldwide rights to all patents emergent from the technology under development in exchange for a royalty of less than 1% on sales revenues from products utilizing cannabinoids manufactured using the technology and a single digit royalty on sub-licensing revenues. Royalties are payable, on a country by country basis, until such time as there is no longer a patent pending, unexpired patent or issued patent derived from the transfer technology, in any country. On May 15, 2018, we extended our Collaborative Research Agreement, which may be terminated by either party upon 30 calendar days written notice, with the University of British Columbia for an additional three years. Total commitments under research agreements associated with this collaboration total CA$418,044 of which all but CA$73,500 have been paid to date.

We, in conjunction with our collaboration partners at the University of British Columbia, continue to advance the production platform for the biofermentation of cannabinoids. Optimization of the vector continued in parallel with the identification of optimal fermentation conditions and down-stream purification processes with third party contract manufacturing organizations. Optimization of the fermentation conditions was a project conducted with the National Research Council Canada at their dedicated fermentation facility in Montreal, Quebec. While we do not anticipate any new intellectual property arising from this venture, under the terms of this research agreement, the National Research Council of Canada owns all new IP and we have a sole, fully-paid-up license to all commercialization rights of such IP. This project was initiated in October 2018 and concluded in the second half of 2019.

In February 2019, we entered into a separate process development collaboration by way of a Master Service Agreement with the Almac Group (UK), or “Almac”, a seasoned GMP pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization. Almac was initially tasked to develop a down-stream purification process to support the fermentation optimization activities at the National Research Council of Canada. In addition, we also engaged Almac to assist in the development of an “alternative” manufacturing process for cannabinoids which integrates the best available technologies across the spectrum of pharmaceutical drug production. This process is now referred to as IntegraSynTM. We retain all rights to this new process while Almac retains certain rights-of-first refusal on the production and supply of certain precursors, or starting materials, for this alternative process.

 

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Other Milestones Include:

 

   

September 12, 2017 – We announced the filing of a provisional patent application entitled, “Metabolic Engineering of E. coli for the Biosynthesis of Cannabinoid Products” (#62/554,494) pertaining to our biosynthesis program for the manufacture of cannabinoids that are identical to those found in nature. We expect that this patent application, since converted into an application pursuant to the Patent Cooperation Treaty, or a “PCT Application”, and pursued in key jurisdictions throughout the world, will provide significant commercial protection for our E. coli-based expression system to manufacture any of the 100+ cannabinoid compounds that may have a medical impact on important human diseases. This is the first in a series of patent applications directed to various aspects of our biosynthesis program.

 

   

September 19, 2017 – We announced retaining the consulting services of Ben Paterson, P.E., to assist in defining the pathway for the scale-up, purification, and manufacturing strategies for our cannabinoid biosynthesis program. Mr. Paterson has nearly four decades of experience in developing pharmaceutical manufacturing and purification processes. He was previously a Senior Engineering Advisor with Eli Lilly and Company, where he spent 37 years, including 24 years in their biosynthesis division. His expertise includes first defining processes in the lab, then scaling up to pilot and commercial scale. Mr. Paterson has conducted design, construction, operation, optimization, and troubleshooting of both large and small molecule drug facilities including the E. coli biosynthesis of numerous products. He brings experience in the seamless integration of biochemistry, equipment, and process control to successfully define a process at scale.

 

   

September 25, 2017 – We announced an update on the significant advancements in our technology for the microbial biosynthesis of cannabinoids. We have successfully demonstrated an ability to selectively produce various gateway cannabinoids using genetically engineered microorganisms. These molecules can be functionalized further to produce any of the 100+ down-stream cannabinoids, or those formed from an enzymatic reaction with the gateway cannabinoid CBGA, found naturally in the Cannabis plant. We are actively employing this production chassis to synthesize compounds for certain pharmaceutical research programs. Our biosynthesis program has resulted in what we believe to be two significant firsts:

 

   

new metabolic pathway for manufacturing the terpenoid family of cannabinoid precursors that is much more robust than other microbial expression systems tested by us; and

 

   

first-ever production of any fully assembled down-stream cannabinoids in E. coli, beginning with genetic material to produce precursors, enzymes, and synthases.

 

   

September 10, 2018 – We announced the filing of a PCT Application for biosynthesis which claims a priority date from September 5, 2017 (PCT/CA2018/051074). The PCT Application filing is a conversion from the provisional patent filed in September 2017.

 

   

September 11, 2018 – We announced that the University of British Columbia, laboratories of Professor V. Yadav, was awarded a NSERC grant totaling C$136,000 over a three-year period to support its collaborative research and development project with us entitled “Microbial metabolic engineering for cannabinoid biosynthesis”.

 

   

October 3, 2018 – We announced entering into a research agreement with the National Research Council of Canada in Montreal, Canada, for biofermentation process development and bioreactor scale-up optimization for cannabinoid biosynthesis in E. coli. at the National Research Council of Canada’s dedicated biosynthesis site in Montreal. This project includes the technology transfer of the up-stream fermentation conditions and HPLC assay from UBC to the National Research Council facilities in Montreal.

 

   

December 4, 2018 – We announced that we signed a contribution agreement with the National Research Council Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program, or National Research Council

 

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of Canada IRAP, to receive funding of up to C$500,000 to support our ongoing research and development efforts in cannabinoid biosynthesis. National Research Council of Canada IRAP provides advisory services and funding to Canadian businesses to promote accelerated growth and technology innovation. In particular, funding from National Research Council of Canada IRAP will be applied to improve production of the different components of the terpenoid biosynthetic pathway, a pre-cursor of cannabinoid production, as well as research and development supporting up-stream and down-stream scale-up activities conducted by our contract development and manufacture organizations. The funding will be received over the next 18 months. We also continue our efforts to further diversify the number of cannabinoids produced using our technology platform.

 

   

March 18, 2019 – We announced the publication of the first in a series of pending patent applications directed to our biosynthesis platform technology for the manufacturing of pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids. International Patent Application International Patent Application No. PCT/CA2018/051074, which published as WO2019046941, entitled “METABOLIC ENGINEERING OF E. COLI FOR THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF CANNABINOID PRODUCTS”, addresses the enablement and maximization of cannabinoid production through optimization of the precursor substrates needed to support specific cannabinoid synthesis. This application, as well as two more recently filed U.S. provisional patent applications, covers various elements required to enable functional cannabinoid synthase production in an E. coli system. We will actively seek to convert these two follow-on provisional applications, and subsequent provisional patents from new patent families, into additional PCT Applications in all major commercial jurisdictions, in due course.

 

   

May 5, 2020 – We announced our working relationship with the Almac Group (UK) (“Almac”) on an integrated approach to augment current biosynthesis-based methods for cannabinoid production, which began in 2019. The companies have been engaged in developing a streamlined cannabinoid manufacturing process, specifically optimizing the upstream cannabinoid assembly processes as well as downstream purification processes, to achieve cost-efficient, GMP-grade active pharmaceutical ingredients for prescription-based cannabinoid medications. Almac is an international, privately-owned organization which has grown organically over the past five decades now employing over 5,600 highly skilled personnel across 18 facilities including Europe, the US and Asia.

 

   

May 19, 2020 – We announced the filing of a key Patent Cooperation Treaty (“PCT”) patent application directed to our biosynthesis platform technology for the manufacturing of pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids. The PCT patent application entitled “Compositions and Methods for Biosynthesis of Terpenoids or Cannabinoids in a Heterologous System”. This application” was initially filed as two separate United States Provisional Patent applications and further addresses the enablement and maximization of cannabinoid production through optimization of the precursor substrates needed to support specific cannabinoid synthesis.

Research and Development Pipeline of Therapeutic Drug Candidates

INM-755 for the Treatment of EB

Introduction

INM-755 (CBN) cream is being developed as a proprietary, topical, single-cannabinoid product candidate intended as a therapy in dermatological diseases. The first clinical indication under development is EB. EB is a collective name for a group of genetic disorders of connective tissues characterized by skin fragility leading to extensive blistering and wounding. It affects skin and mucous membranes, particularly of the gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary and respiratory systems. EB is a debilitating disease affecting a small proportion of people in the United States, thus earning it an orphan-disease status. The disease has no

 

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definitive cure and all current treatments are directed towards symptom relief. There are, however, a number of products, mainly gene therapies, currently in clinical trials, in which a cure is being explored, according to several recent scientific publications. Our preclinical research has identified a specific cannabinoid, CBN, that may prove beneficial to patients: first, by addressing certain key disease hallmarks (which may include wound healing, infection, pain, inflammation); and second, by regulating the expression of various proteins (keratins) that may compensate for reduced expression of others.

The active ingredient in INM-755, CBN, is an agonist for both cannabinoid (CB) 1 and CB2 receptors, with a higher affinity for CB2, which means it should have a greater effect on the immune system than on the central nervous system. The distribution of CB1 and CB2 receptors in sensory nerves and inflammatory cells in the skin make it an attractive pharmaceutical agent for dermal treatments in medical conditions characterized by inflammation and pain.

In preclinical pharmacology studies, CBN demonstrated activity as an anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive agent. CBN upregulated expression of keratin 15 (K15), which might lead to skin strengthening and reduced blister formation in EBS patients with keratin 14 (K14) mutations. At the cream concentrations chosen for clinical development, it does not appear to impede wound healing of partial-thickness wounds. Its anti-inflammatory activity may be beneficial in healing chronic wounds caused by prolonged inflammation.

We have completed 20 safety pharmacology and toxicology studies to investigate the effects of CBN. Following a review of our studies, the Netherlands National Competent Authority and Ethics Committee approved the initiation of a Phase I clinical study in healthy volunteers (755-101-HV).

The Science Behind EB

At the most basic level, the hallmark of EB is poor anchorage of the epidermis to the dermis such that the skin and mucous membranes of the affected individuals tend to shear and blister on minimal friction. This is due to the genetically inherited defect in certain genes (multiple genes have been shown to be associated with the different subtypes of EB) that code for some specific proteins that are concerned with maintaining the integrity of skin and mucous membranes.

 

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There are four main subtypes of the condition. Each of these subtypes can display a spectrum of phenotypic severity reflecting the types of mutations in different genes, together with modifying environmental factors. The types of mutations also determine the mode of inheritance, either autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive. The following table shows the pattern of inheritance and the defective genes and proteins in each:

Classification of EB Types

    

LOGO

 

  (a)

EBS

This is the most common form of EB and is characterized by a lack of adhesion of the skin directly above the basement membrane (the basal layer). An estimated 55% of people with EB have EBS resulting from a genetic defect of the keratins K5 and K14, with the incidence between the two defects estimated to be essentially equal. The most common form of EBS manifests itself as blistering confined to the hands and feet while in others blistering can occur all over the body. Blistering generally appears during the neonatal period but it can also manifest itself in later childhood (or even in adult life). Painful skin blisters are accentuated by friction, especially on the feet where footwear causes increased irritation. Friction injuries tend to occur more commonly in warm weather and secondary infections are common.

 

  (b)

Junctional EB

Junctional EB is characterized by a lack of adhesion of the skin through the basement membrane and affects some 5% of those with EB. The generalized type of junctional disease (about half of cases of junctional EB) is usually fatal in infancy. This is often as a result of anemia and malnutrition due to poor feeding caused by the serious blistering in the pharynx and esophagus. The milder form of the disease can cause life-long pain and disability.

 

  (c)

Dystrophic EB, or “DEB”

DEB is characterized by a lack of adhesion of the skin under the basement membrane. Approximately 30% of people with EB have DEB. Patients with DEB tend to develop blisters that heal with fibrosis, leading to

 

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joint contracture, fusion of the fingers, contractures of the mouth membranes and narrowing of the esophagus. Often the dominant inherited type of DEB is the least severe type and the patient can lead an almost normal life. However, the severity of the condition does increase with age due to scarring, syndactyly and generalized skin atrophy. Those with recessive DEB have a high chance of developing a squamous cell carcinoma, often before the age of 35.

 

  (d)

Kindler Syndrome

This type of EB is rare and usually becomes apparent at birth or soon after. This condition is called mixed type because blisters appear across the skin layers. The condition usually improves with time and can disappear. It is the only type that causes patchy discoloring (mottling) of skin exposed to the sun. Kindler syndrome is recessive.

 

  (e)

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita is a rare type that is not inherited. The blisters result from the immune system attacking healthy tissue by mistake. It’s similar to another immune system disorder called bullous pemphigoid. It tends to cause blisters on the hands, feet and mucous membranes.

Epidemiology, Morbidity and Mortality

The most reliable figures on prevalence and incidence of EB are derived from the National EB Registry, or “NEBR”, which collected cross-sectional and longitudinal data on about 3,300 EB patients in the United States from 1986 through 2002. The prevalence of EB was estimated to be approximately 11 per million and the incidence approximately 20 per million live births. In the United States, assuming that mild cases of EBS are reported only 10% of the time, the affected population in the United States is approximately 12,500. Other sources cite populations of up to 25,000 in the United States.

Generalized blistering caused by any subtype may be complicated by infection, sepsis, and death especially in infancy. Severe forms of EB increase the mortality risk during infancy. In patients with EB that survive childhood, the most common cause of death is metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. This skin cancer occurs most frequently in patients with recessively inherited DEB who are aged 15-35 years. In contrast, dominantly inherited EBS and DEB and milder forms of junctional EB may not affect a patient’s life expectancy adversely. Onset of EB is at birth or shortly after. The exception occurs in mild cases of EBS, which may remain undetected until adulthood or remain undiagnosed. The disease appears to have equal incidences in both sexes.

Current Treatments

As a genetic disease, EB has no cure and, as a designated orphan-disease, there are no approved products specifically to treat this indication. Effective management of EB patients involves a collaborative approach between several specialists, including surgeons, dermatologists, ophthalmologists, dentists, psychologists, podiatrists, physiotherapists and geneticists. The aim is to provide support to the patient by alleviating symptoms and managing complications; in particular, the patient caregivers must assess and act daily to treat the wound and enable wound healing, address the current level of pain and itch, provide adequate antimicrobial protection, reduce inflammation (as a source of depressed wound healing abilities) and address the emotional state of the patient.

Current medications are employed in control of pain (various types of analgesics including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or “NSAIDS”, tricyclic antidepressants, gabapentin, and narcotics) and pruritus (antihistamines, etc.) and to address complications such as local infection and septicemia (local and systemic antibiotics). Steroids and phenytoin are also used in managing dysphagia-associated pain. Tetracycline is considered to be beneficial in improving the blistering and epithelial disadhesion. The complications of these classes of medications are well known and the drugs are most likely to further complicate the patients’ conditions since they will be used on long-term basis.

 

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The newer products currently in research also have their problems. For example, the use of bone marrow was being researched by the University of Minnesota with some promising results. However, the severe immunosuppression that bone marrow transplantation requires causes a significant risk of serious infections in patients with large scale blisters and skin erosions.

Competitive Landscape

We are studying INM-755, our proprietary, topical, single cannabinoid product candidate, as a first-line therapy in all EB patients for symptom relief and in EBS as a therapy to potentially strengthen skin integrity via up-regulation of a keratin.

There are no therapies approved specifically for the treatment of EB. This lack of treatment options creates a significant unmet medical need in this devastating condition. For those products currently envisioned or in clinical trials as topical treatments, wound healing and symptom relief are the primary endpoints.

According to public information, several topical investigational drug formulations are currently at various stages of clinical development for the treatment of EB, including:

 

   

Amryt Pharma’s investigational drug, Oleogel-S10, is a topical product incorporating a betulin-based active ingredient formulated with sunflower oil. AP101 causes the keratinocytes to migrate faster and to differentiate into mature epithelial skin cells. This product is currently approved in some jurisdictions for the treatment of partial-thickness wounds in adults.

 

   

Krystal Biotech’s investigational drug, KB103, is a replication-defective, non-integrating HSV-1 that is based on a viral gene therapy platform. In October 2019, Krystal announced positive combined results from their Phase I and II trials looking at ten chronic or recurrent blister wounds being treated with KB103 – 9/10 closed up completely and the tenth closed within 7 days of retreatment. The drug was well-tolerated, Krystal said that no serious adverse events or drug-related adverse events were reported, and there were no reports of inflammation or irritation in the KB103-treated wounds; additionally, Krystal received an expedited review designation from the FDA and EMA.

 

   

Wings Therapeutics (formerly ProQR) has initiated a Phase Ib/II safety study of a topical gel, QR-313, intended to alter the RNA in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, or “RDEB”, patients with a mutation in exon 73.

 

   

RegeneRx Pharmaceuticals is developing its investigational drug, RGN-137, as a topical Tß4-based dermal gel formulation, and has recently commenced treating EB patients in a Phase II clinical trial in the U.S.

Despite promising preliminary data, in September 2017 the Phase III study of Zorblisa (allantoin), another topical investigational drug in development for EB, reported no benefit over placebo and its development has ceased.

Additionally, a clinical trial investigating Castle Creek Biosciences’ Diacerein 1% was terminated after an independent data monitoring committee suggested that the study will not meet statistical objectives; however, Castle Creek announced their intent to investigate more concentrated 2% and 3% formulations. Stanford University investigated the use of topical sirolimus 2% to ameliorate plantar lesions in patients with EBS and recently posted results that show no statistical difference from placebo.

Other approaches have shown promise and are under investigation for the treatment of EB:

 

   

Skin grafts with gene-modified epidermal sheets;

 

   

Stem cell transplants;

 

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Intravenous replacement of recombinant collagen VII (for RDEB);

 

   

Topical/intradermal gentamicin to restore laminin beta3 (JEB/DEB with nonsense mutations);

 

   

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (DEB); and

 

   

Gene therapy for recessive DEB; FCX-007 (gene-modified dermal fibroblasts for recessive DEB).

Additionally, several companies are pursuing the symptomatic relief for EB patients, including the patient advocacy organization DEBRA, which is sponsoring a trial using oral cannabinoids (THC, CBD) to mitigate pain and itch.

Regulatory Perspectives

According to the National Epidermolysis Bullosa Registry, the overall incidence is about 20 per million live births and prevalence is 11 per million in the United States. EB is designated as an “orphan disease”, and we plan to seek regulatory designation of INM-755 as such in the U.S. and similar designations in various jurisdictions. The FDA defines orphan products as “those intended for the safe and effective treatment, diagnosis or prevention of rare diseases/disorders that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the United States, or that affect more than 200,000 persons but are not expected to recover the costs of developing and marketing a treatment drug”. The EMA has its own definition of orphan disease and, under the European definition, EB is also an orphan disease.

The mission of the FDA Office of Orphan Products Development, or “OOPD”, is to advance the evaluation and development of products (drugs, biologics, devices, or medical foods) that demonstrate promise for the diagnosis and/or treatment of rare diseases or conditions. This arm of the agency evaluates scientific and clinical data to identify and designate products as promising for rare diseases and to further advance scientific development of such promising medical products. The OOPD also works on rare disease issues with the medical and research communities, professional organizations, academia, governmental agencies, industry, and rare disease patient groups. The OOPD provides incentives for sponsors to develop products for rare diseases. The Orphan-Drug Designation program, which is administered by the OOPD, provides orphan status to drugs and biologics which are defined using the FDA definition above. The Orphan Products Grants Program, which is administered by the OOPD, provides funding for clinical research that tests the safety and efficacy of drugs, biologics, medical devices and medical foods in rare diseases or conditions.

It is worth noting that there is a common pathway for application of orphan status for a product to both the FDA and EMA, and applicants to the FDA are advised to use the common application platform. With regards to the data to be used in the application, it is expected that applicants demonstrate that there is “promise” that the drug will be effective in treating said disease. “Promise” is interpreted to include either data from clinical trials, data from case studies/reports, data from appropriate animal models or, on rare occasions where there is no appropriate animal, data from in vitro experiments in addition to supporting information.

 

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Regulatory Incentives for Orphan Product Development

    

LOGO

Data Summary of Preclinical Studies for INM-755

INM-755 is a topical, single cannabinoid cream formulation that is being developed to: (i) strengthen skin integrity in some patients with EBS (the most common form of EB), and (ii) to treat symptoms of the disease in all patients with EB.

We have conducted several preclinical studies to identify potential drug development pathways for a product in EB. The following data has been generated in support of these cannabinoids as a potential therapy in EB:

 

  (a)

Enhancing skin integrity and skin regeneration:

A desirable treatment outcome for all subtypes of EB would be enhanced skin integrity to prevent new wounds from forming. For patients with EBS, an estimated half of them will have a mutation in K14. The goal of modifying keratin production is to target the upregulation of a potentially compensatory K15. Under normal conditions, K5 and K14 combine (dimerize) to form adhesion at the basal layer within the epidermis. In EBS, one or both of these keratins are damaged. Our investigational hypothesis is that K15 may be able to compensate by replacing K14 in this equation and combining with K5 to form the adhesive properties needed for normal skin structure.

CBN was studied in a panel of cannabinoids to determine its ability to regulate keratin expression. CBN induced upregulation of K15 in 2 of the 3 experiments. Concentrations of 0.1 µM and 1 µM produced similar effects (approximately 6 to 17-fold increase in K15 expression). The highest concentration of 10 µM did not increase the size of the effect (approximately 3 to 13-fold increase). Lack of a dose-response may mean a threshold was exceeded, above which no further effect can occur.

 

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Relative K15 Expression in Human Keratinocytes (HaCaT), Post-Confluence (48 hours)

    

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Study 1 did not exhibit an important effect. The reason for this is uncertain, with one hypothesis being that the cells tested had been through too many passages. Despite the variation observed across these three studies, these results are encouraging as INM-755 cream may help create stronger skin by upregulating K15.

Hemidesmosome formation also occurs during normal differentiation of keratinocytes as they mature from the basal layer, not only in a wound-healing situation. Through the upregulation of K15, INM-755 cream applied to intact skin might gradually strengthen the skin and reduce the number of blisters and eventual wounds. For this effect, it could also be applied to wounds that have completed the initial re-epithelialization stage.

 

  (b)

Effects on Wound Healing

Cutaneous wound healing is a complex process with four main phases: inflammation, re-epithelialization, tissue formation, and tissue remodeling. In EB wounds, all four phases of cutaneous wound healing can be impacted, leading to chronic non-healing wounds. The wounds of EB patients are found primarily at or close to the junction of the epidermal and dermal layers. In these partial-thickness wounds, wound closure is achieved primarily by re-epithelialization rather than through granulation.

One major disease symptom in EB is the extensive wounds that can be generated throughout any day by simple friction on the skin, even as simple as clothes rubbing the skin. In addition to increasing the skin integrity via K15 up-regulation, another key goal would be facilitating accelerated wound healing via rapid skin regeneration and wound closure. E-Cadherin is major component of epithelium integrity. During wound healing, transforming growth factor beta, or TGF-ß, causes a reduction in E-Cadherin, allowing keratinocyte migration across the open wound. This is then followed by a return to normal levels of E-Cadherin to rebuild the integrity of the skin. INM-755 CBN may play a role in the second phase of wound healing by accelerating the normalization of E-Cadherin expression. Additional studies are warranted to further explore this effect.

On July 10, 2017, we announced that we had entered into a research and development collaboration with ATERA SAS of France, a leading tissue engineering company specializing in the development of advanced human tissue models. On April 6, 2018, under the terms of the Agreement, we and ATERA agreed to transfer the execution of the collaborative research to the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany. Under the terms of the agreement,

 

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Fraunhofer will develop 3D human skin models of EB to evaluate the in vitro drug efficacy of CBN. Fraunhofer will also investigate the beneficial effects of topically applied INM-755 at ultra-structural cellular and molecular levels on in vitro 3D reconstructed human full thickness (dermis-epidermis) skin models composed of both normal and EB-derived skin cells. This project with Fraunhofer is designed to assess the potential of INM-755 to have an impact in enhancing skin integrity to support our current data indicating an up-regulation in specific keratins in the skin.

Inflammation is an important early step in wound healing and several of our studies demonstrated CBN has anti-inflammatory activity. Therefore, we conducted studies to evaluate the effect of CBN on the normal wound healing process. While an early in vitro assay indicated that high concentration of CBN could cause delays or prevent one of the first steps in wound healing, a subsequent study conducted with the INM-755 cream formulation did not hinder cell viability, cell migration, or wound closure. This was demonstrated in a wound-healing experiment conducted in 3-dimensional reconstructed human epidermis, or “RHE”, models with fully differentiated skin layers. Punch biopsy wounds were treated with INM-755 creams at three strengths, which included the intended cream concentrations for the first studies in healthy volunteers. No delay or inhibition of re-epithelialization was shown in CBN-treated models; the untreated control healed slightly slower in the first 5 days.

A composite of pictures showing 2D photographic images of the punch biopsy wounds as they heal over time. The re-epithelialization of the wound is shown by migration and growth of keratinocytes from the outside edge of the wound over time, migrating/growing to the center of the wound until the wound is closed:

    

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One more study was conducted to explore the potential of CBN to interfere with early stage wound healing. In this study, superficial partial thickness wounds were introduced by a dermatome in an in vivo animal model and treated for 7 days with INM-755 creams at the same three strengths as used in the RHE models. Wound healing assessments included clinical observations, quantitative wound area measurements on photographic images and histopathologic examination. Treatment with INM-755 creams at the strengths intended for clinical development did not cause any delays in wound healing.

 

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  (c)

Reducing inflammation:

CBN was tested on two important markers of inflammation: IL-8 and MMP-9, because of their suspected links with blister formation in EBS and chronic cutaneous inflammation.

Interleukin-8, or IL-8, is the most potent chemoattractant for blood neutrophils and important mediator of angiogenesis, or the formation of new blood vessels. Chronic IL-8 production and neutrophil activation in a skin wound is an unfavorable element of skin pathology as it leads to extensive inflammation.

Matrix metalloproteinases, or “MMPs”, are part of the zinc-dependent endo-proteases family which modulate homeostasis of the extracellular matrix in skin. In response to skin damage and inflammation, metalloproteinases, including MMP-9, are often up-regulated. Specifically, exposure of keratinocytes, such as HaCaT cells, to TNF-α induces expression of the inflammatory-related factors such as IL-8 and MMP-9.

IL-8 and MMP-9 are upregulated in blisters of EBS patients and both are suspected to be contributing to blister formation. Both IL-8 and MMP-9 have been identified as targets for treatment of cutaneous inflammation in EBS. Therefore, reducing one or both might be helpful for controlling/reducing chronic skin inflammation in EBS.

While inflammation is an important first step in healing a new cutaneous wound, prolonged inflammation will interfere with the later stages of wound healing. Persistent inflammatory activity, which may occur with infection or re-injury, often interferes with healing EB wounds.

 

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Dose-Related Reduction in Relative IL-8 Expression in Human Keratinocytes (HaCaT)

    

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Insult = Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNFα) and Interferon g (IFNg)

For IL-8: CBN produced a clear dose response with 35% reduction of IL-8 expression at 4 µM, 42% at 8 µM and 52% at 16 µM. Therefore, the IC50 was 16 µM. By comparison, hydrocortisone at 10 µM caused a 54% reduction in IL-8 expression. CBN was similar to hydrocortisone with respect to anti-inflammatory activity in this model.

 

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Dose-Related Reduction in Relative MMP-9 Expression in Human Keratinocytes (HaCaT)

    

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Insult = Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNFα) and Interferon g (IFNg)

For MMP-9: Consistent results in both studies with a dose-related reduction of MMP-9 expression. The consistency in direction and magnitude of effect provides convincing evidence for down regulation of MMP-9 by CBN under insult conditions. The reduction was 22% at 4 µM and about 40% at both 8 and 16 µM. CBN showed a little less anti-inflammatory activity than hydrocortisone in this model, but still an important reduction.

 

  (d)

Pain reduction:

One pharmacodynamic endpoint that was studied was pain. Pain is one of the key symptoms in EB and requires significant effort to monitor and treat. CBN has demonstrated positive pain-relieving effects in NGF-induced in an in vivo pain model. To further demonstrate this, we utilized in vivo electrophysiology where CBN blocked the pain signals in the neurons.

In an in vivo of myofascial pain, nerve growth factor, or “NGF”, was injected into the masseter muscle, resulting in local mechanical sensitization lasting about 5 days. On Day 3, CBN was injected into the masseter muscle and the mechanical withdrawal threshold was assessed with a rigid von Frey hair. The mechanical force was gradually increased until the animal moved its head away from the stimulus.

 

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Behavioral Effects of CBN in In vivo Model of Myofascial Pain

    

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Adapted from Wong H, Cairns BE. Arch. Oral Biol. 2019;104:33-9.

CBN injected into the masseter muscle significantly reversed NGF induced mechanical sensitization at 10 minutes post-injection. (Behavioral study)

In parallel, electrophysiology recordings of single ganglion neurons that innervate the craniofacial muscles were performed (33 masticatory muscle mechanoreceptors). The electrophysiology effects parallel the behavioral effects. CBN significantly increased the relative mechanical threshold at 30- and 60-minutes post-injection. The results of this study have been published.

Electrophysiological Effects of CBN in In vivo Models of Myofascial Pain

    

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Adapted from Wong H, Cairns BE. Arch. Oral Biol. 2019;104:33-9.

 

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  (e)

Antimicrobial activity:

In the literature, certain cannabinoid compounds have been shown to have potent antibacterial properties including against various strains of multidrug-resistant bacteria, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus, or “MRSA”. We have screened a number of cannabinoid compounds by standard methods against a broad range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Results of this third-party research demonstrated potent antimicrobial activity for all tested cannabinoid compounds, particularly against Gram-positive isolates. While these cannabinoids may provide some localized antibacterial benefit, it is unlikely that such effects would encourage cessation of broad-spectrum, systemic antibiotic usage.

 

  (f)

EBS formulation prototype development:

Careful attention must be paid to any topical product to be administered for the treatment of EB for several reasons. Our target product is designed to be applied over major portions of the body (if not the entire body), once each day. As such, the patients, who are often children, will be exposed to the active drug as well as the excipients of the skin cream, possibly for the duration of their lives. Accordingly, great care must be given that these components will be safe over the long-term and that they will not add to the already painful condition that the patients are suffering.

Particular attention has been given to the following criteria in the formulation development for INM-755:

 

   

The excipients are safe for extensive body surface area exposure for a long duration of time;

 

   

The API (cannabinoid) is dosed at the appropriate level – high enough to provide optimal clinical effect at the treatment site but low enough to minimize any systemic exposure; and

 

   

The final formulation can be administered daily with minimal friction to the skin.

We have utilized the Franz Cell diffusion method to assess skin penetration rates and depth for a proposed topical formulation for INM-755. The formulation is applied to skin samples and measurements are taken of how much drug penetrates to which depths in the skin. Using this method, a preliminary formulation of INM-755 achieved drug delivery to the epidermis and dermis layers as needed. Working with well-characterized excipients, we have tested several slight variations in formulation to achieve the desired concentration of drug in the skin while simultaneously avoiding high drug concentrations in systemic circulation (in the blood). We announced the selection of a final excipient formulation on November 12, 2018.

Starting in mid-2017 to present, we worked with several leading, international preclinical contract research organization to: (i) develop a final formulation used in INM-755; and (ii) initiate work of an Investigational New Drug Application, or “IND” enabling pharmacology and toxicology studies that are required before INM-755 could be used in future clinical studies.

Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology Studies of CBN

The investigational medicinal product, INM-755 (CBN) cream is for topical application on the skin. The cream base has a simple formulation with known pharmaceutical-grade excipients. It is a pluronic lecithin organogel. Pluronic lecithin organogels have been widely used by compounding pharmacists for topical preparations since the early 1990s. Therefore, the focus of the toxicology program has been to characterize effects of the active agent.

CBN is a new molecular entity, or “NME”, not yet approved for medical use in any country. Therefore, we are required to perform thorough safety testing prior to human administration. The intended route of administration for INM-755 is topical and is anticipated to result in low systemic exposure via the bloodstream. Despite only nominal risk of meaningful systemic exposure, regulatory authorities still require that we examine

 

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the consequences of systemic exposure on key biological functions and organ systems. For this purpose, the drug was administered by subcutaneous (SC) injection to achieve high in blood circulation. Topical safety studies using the intended route of administration and the clinical cream formulation were also conducted. These nonclinical toxicology studies included:

 

   

Topical 28-day safety, in vivo;

 

   

Systemic 28-day safety study, in vivo, with SC administration;

 

   

Genotoxicity – standard battery of required tests for NMEs, including:

 

   

In vitro bacterial mutagenicity study (classically the Ames assay) [Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development test guideline 471 (OECD 471)],

 

   

In vitro micronucleus study in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells [OECD 487], and

 

   

In vivo mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus study [OECD 474];

 

   

Phototoxicity – required because CBN has some absorbance in the UVB range; in vitro neutral red dye uptake study in cells from BALB/c 3T3 mice [OECD 432];

 

   

EpiOcular, in vitro eye irritation study [OECD 492];

 

   

Non-adjuvant Buehler method skin sensitization study, in vivo [OECD 406]; and

 

   

In vivo drug distribution study with SC injection of radiolabeled drug.

In the 28-day in vivo dermal toxicity study, INM-755 cream was given as topical daily doses applied to 10% body surface area. The quantity of cream applied resulted in a thick layer of cream, much more than a typical clinical application. After each daily cream application, the application sites were covered with a hypoallergenic, waterproof, breathable dressing for 24 hours and then scored for local tolerance. In this GLP study, systemic toxicity was also fully investigated by standard parameters. Based on clinical and histopathologic review, no CBN-related dermal toxicity was demonstrated in this study. Systemic exposure was minimal due to the topical route of administration and no systemic toxicities occurred either. The No Adverse Effect Level, or “NOAEL”, was determined to be the highest concentration of cream tested.

In the 28-day in vivo systemic toxicity study, CBN was given as daily SC injections up to the solubility-driven maximum feasible dose. No adverse drug-related effects were noted on clinical signs, clinical pathology parameters, ophthalmic evaluations, gross necropsy, organ weights, or histopathology. CBN was well tolerated at all doses, despite considerable systemic exposure. The NOAEL was determined to be the highest dose tested.

The standard battery of genotoxicity studies was conducted with CBN (2 in vitro and 1 in vivo) and all were negative. CBN did not cause phototoxicity in vitro. INM-755 cream at low and mid dose levels did not cause eye irritation in vitro. INM-755 cream at the highest tested dose did not cause a sensitization reaction in the in vivo sensitization model.

In summary, we have completed 20 safety pharmacology and toxicology studies to investigate the effects of CBN. Following a review of our studies, the Netherlands National Competent Authority and Ethics Committee approved the initiation of a Phase I clinical study in healthy volunteers (755-101-HV).

 

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Toxicity to Central Nervous System

Due to the well-documented psychoactivity of THC, all cannabinoid compounds need to be tested for their psychoactive potential. In a standardized safety pharmacology study, we tested exceptionally high dose levels of CBN (more than 10,000 times the expected systemic exposure after topical dosing). No central nervous system adverse effects were observed even at the highest dose. 108 different central nervous system criteria were measured.

    

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The toxicology and safety pharmacology data package covered a broad range of drug concentrations and was designed to support other clinical programs to treat topical skin conditions.

Summary of Completed and Contemplated Clinical Development Plans

We completed the above tasks in preparation for initiating clinical trials for the INM-755 in EB program. In summary, these tasks included:

 

   

Analysis of potential EU clinical trial sites for Phase I studies;

 

   

Completion of CTA-enabling toxicology program;

 

   

Vendor selection and product manufacturing for Phase I; and

 

   

Writing and finalizing the Investigator’s Brochure and CMC summary for CTA filing.

A regulatory application to support our first Phase I clinical trial in healthy volunteers with INM-755 (77-101-HV) was submitted November 4, 2019 and approved December 6, 2019. The initial Phase I clinical trial evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of INM-755 cream in 22 healthy volunteers with normal, intact skin; the volunteers had cream applied once daily for a period of 14 days. All subjects in this first clinical trial completed treatment and evaluations by March 27, 2020. Database completion and data analyses have been delayed by pandemic restrictions. It is expected that study results will be reported in the 3Q2020. A blinded interim safety review from the first 16 subjects in the Phase I study were included in a regulatory application that was approved April 17, 2020, for a second Phase I clinical trial of 8 healthy volunteers to test the local safety and tolerability of applying sterile INM-755 cream to small wounds once daily for 14 days. As with the initial Phase I trial, the second clinical trial (77-101-HV) will be conducted with two different drug concentrations and a vehicle control. The safety of INM-755 will continue to be assessed throughout its clinical development.

 

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Assuming that INM-755 is well tolerated in the two Phase I clinical trials in healthy volunteers, the next step will be to study INM-755 in patients with EB (Study 755-201-EB). Regulatory applications to support that global trial are planned for 4Q2020 and 1Q2021.

We can make certain scope-estimates in terms of potential clinical trial sizes, timing and endpoints based on the recent clinical pathway followed by another phytochemical-based topical product for EB, ZorblisaTM (Amicus Therapeutics). The key finding from our review of publicly available information for the ZorblisaTM development program is that a clinical program is very focused for an orphan indication and the clinical trials do not include large numbers of patients. It would not be feasible to conduct large trials for such a rare disease. Therefore, the clinical studies need to be carefully designed and controlled to allow suitable assessment of the safety and efficacy of a new therapy in a small number of patients. Broad multicenter trials would be needed to recruit patients as quickly as possible. We will work closely with regulatory authorities and clinical experts in developing the clinical program for INM-755. The table below shows the completed and near-term planned clinical studies. A Phase III clinical program, which will be needed in order to submit an application seeking regulatory approval for commercialization, is not included in this table.

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On average, it takes at least ten years to complete the development of an investigational drug from its initial discovery to the marketplace, with clinical trials alone taking six to seven years on average. It is not possible with any degree of certainty to estimate how long it will take to complete clinical trials and potentially obtain marketing approval for INM-755. To the extent that INM-755 may potentially be designated as either a Fast Track drug, a Breakthrough Therapy, or eligible for Priority/Accelerated Review, our timeline to any potential marketing approval may be shorter than might otherwise be the case.

Next Steps for the INM-755 in EB Program

Subject to COVID-related delays and other external factors, we plan to accomplish the following tasks for the INM-755 in EB program during calendar year 2020:

 

   

Report results from 755-101-HV;

 

   

Initiation and completion of enrollment and treatment of Phase I trial 755-102-HV;

 

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Report results from 722-102-HV; and

 

   

Prepare and file global regulatory submission for 755-201-EB trial (4Q20-1Q21).

Commercial Opportunity for EB Products

Commercial attractiveness and valuations of therapies under development (prior to market launch) can be measured several ways. In EB, there are research reports from reputable investment banking firms regarding the potential peak annual sales for the products themselves, which may serve as a baseline estimate for the value of a successfully marketed end product:

 

   

Cowen and Company – In a September 2015 research report on Amicus Therapeutics, Cowen estimated the market potential for a drug that provides partial symptomatic relief in EB (ZorblisaTM) as having potential maximum annual revenues of $1.2B.

 

   

JP Morgan – In a similar research report from 2015 on Amicus, JP Morgan estimated peak annual sales of ~$900M for ZorblisaTM, if approved for sale.

In addition, there have been a couple of relatively recent, prominent in-licensing transactions and/or whole-company acquisitions around EB-focused products/companies, that may also serve as a baseline estimate of the value of successful EB products:

 

   

In February 2013, Shire PLC acquired Lotus Tissue Repair, Inc., for total consideration of approximately $174 million, consisting of $49 million in upfront consideration and contingent consideration of $125 million. At the time of the transaction, Lotus had a preclinical program developing recombinant human collagen Type VII as a protein replacement therapy for Dystrophic EB, a subset of EB (approximately 30% of EB cases).

 

   

In September 2015, Amicus Therapeutics, Inc. completed the acquisition of Scioderm, Inc., or Scioderm, for total consideration of approximately $847 million, consisting of $229 million in upfront payments of cash and stock, $361 million upon the achievement of certain clinical and regulatory milestones and $257 million upon the achievement of certain sales milestones. Further, if a Priority Review Voucher, or “PRV”, would have been awarded for ZorblisaTM, the lesser of $100 million or 50% of the PRV market value would have been delivered to Scioderm shareholders. Scioderm’s sole clinical asset at the time of the transaction was ZorblisaTM, a Phase III-ready clinical product in development for the treatment of EB. The acquisition was based on results from 42 patients in a Phase IIb clinical study of ZorblisaTM.

 

   

In September 2019, Castle Creek Pharmaceutical Holdings Inc. acquired Fibrocell Sciences, Inc. for total consideration of approximately $63.3M in cash. Fibrocells’ portfolio includes FCX-007, and investigational late-stage stage gene therapy product candidate for the treatment of RDEB, a congenital and progressive orphan skin disease caused by the deficiency of the protein COL7. FCX-007 is a genetically modified autologous fibroblast that encodes the gene for COL7. A Phase III trial was initiated, and if successful, a Biologics License Application filing is expected in 2021. The portfolio also includes FCX-013, an investigational, gene therapy candidate for the treatment of moderate to severe localized scleroderma. FCX-013 is currently enrolling for the Phase I portion of a Phase I/II clinical trial.

Valuation of development stage technologies, as well as the eventual market success, can be influenced by multiple factors including but not limited to the approved labeling (“indication”) for a product, efficacy and safety profile relative to competition, speed to market relative to competition, pricing/reimbursement.

 

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Key Milestones for the EB Program:

 

   

August 6, 2015 – We reported positive response from preclinical research on several cannabinoids (one of which was CBN), tested in various in vitro assays. By modulating the expression of various keratin genes that are responsible for cytoskeleton intermediate filaments and/or wound healing using different cannabinoids, we sought to alleviate the EBS symptoms. We believe that these preliminary results validated our approach as the cannabinoids displayed modulation of expression of various keratin genes.

 

   

November 4, 2015 – We released additional preliminary preclinical data for the two-cannabinoid product INM-750 (which contained CBN as one of the APIs) demonstrating positive effects in both wound healing/skin regeneration and in reducing inflammation, two key hallmarks of EB.

 

   

May 18, 2016 – We reported additional preclinical results demonstrating positive pain-relieving effects of cannabinoids in animal models. This animal data demonstrated a reduction in both acute and chronic pain (CBN was one of the cannabinoids tested in this study).

 

   

May 4, 2017 – We filed an application with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office a PCT Application, Serial No. CA2017050546 titled, “A Cannabinoid-Based Topical Therapy for Diseases and Conditions Associated with Intermediate Filament Dysfunction”.

 

   

July 10, 2017 – We announced that we entered into a research and development collaboration with ATERA SAS of France, or “ATERA”, a leading tissue engineering company specializing in the development of advanced human tissue models. Under the terms of the agreement, ATERA would develop 3D human skin models of EB to evaluate the in vitro drug efficacy of a two-cannabinoid combination (one of which was CBN). ATERA would also investigate the beneficial effects of topically applied cannabinoids at ultra-structural cellular and molecular levels on in vitro 3D reconstructed human full thickness (dermis-epidermis) skin models composed of both normal and EB-derived skin cells. On April 6, 2018, under the terms of the agreement, we and ATERA agreed to transfer the execution of the collaborative research to the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany.

 

   

Since mid-2017 to present, we have worked with several leading GLP-certified preclinical contract research organizations, and other internationally recognized contractors to: (i) develop a final formulation for our CBN cream; and (ii) complete work on safety pharmacology and toxicology studies that are required before CBN could be used in clinical studies.

 

   

November 12, 2018 – We announced that the selected formulation demonstrated good drug penetration and adequate drug concentrations in the epidermis, which is the target tissue for INM-750, a two-cannabinoid formulation containing CBN as one API. Also, two types of genotoxicity studies demonstrated no mutagenicity with the two-cannabinoid formulation. Two 7-day dose-range-finding and pharmacokinetic studies were conducted for assessment of systemic toxicity. The lack of any negative results from these studies support continued development of INM-750.

 

   

February 12, 2019 – We announced favorable results for INM-750, a two-cannabinoid topical formulation, in two topical, 7-day dose-range-finding studies that evaluated skin irritation, plasma pharmacokinetics, histology and skin/drug concentrations. There were no drug-related adverse effects on the skin and the extent of systemic cannabinoid exposure was minimal after topical administration of the cream despite a dosing level 100-1,000-fold higher than the anticipated clinical dose.

 

   

March 13, 2019 – We announced that we will conduct all future development with a single cannabinoid skin cream, now designated INM-755. We determined that the clinical development path forward with its investigational drug candidate for the treatment of EB, previously referred to as INM-750, will be optimized by transitioning to an alternative formulation. INM-755 is formulated based on one of the two cannabinoids that comprised INM-750. We believe that pursuing a single-agent formulation, rather than a combination product, will ultimately improve the probability of development and regulatory success in this complex and rare disease.

 

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November 5, 2019 – We submitted clinical trial application to initiate a Phase I human clinical trial for INM-755 in healthy volunteers in the Netherlands.

 

   

December 9, 2019 – We received clinical trial application approval for study 755-101-HV, a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled Phase I study designed to evaluate the local and systemic safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of INM-755 applied daily on intact skin in healthy volunteers. Two strengths of INM-755 cream, plus vehicle-only, will be evaluated in 22 adult subjects over a 14-day treatment period.

 

   

January 20, 2020 – We revealed that the active ingredient in INM-755 and INM-088 is the rare cannabinoid, CBN. We are the first company to conduct human clinical trials with CBN. Extensive preclinical program to support the INM-755 program was exhibited at the EB2020 World Congress in London UK.

 

   

March 10, 2020 – We reported completed enrollment in Study 755-101-HV. Treatment is expected to conclude towards the end of March and final study results are anticipated to be announced in the second half of calendar 2020.

 

   

March 20, 2020 – We provided an update on operational impact of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic which included discussions with the clinical site conducting the 755-101-HV Phase I trial in the Netherlands (Centre for Human and Drug Research).

 

   

March 24, 2020 – We announced the filing of a Clinical Trial Application, or “CTA”, in the Netherlands to initiate a second Phase I human clinical trial for INM-755 in healthy volunteers. 755-102-HV is a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, Phase I study designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of INM-755 cream applied daily on epidermal wounds in healthy volunteers. Two strengths of INM-755 cream will be evaluated in 8 adult subjects over a 14-day treatment period.

 

   

April 1, 2020 – We announced that all subjects participating in the 755-101-HV Phase I clinical trial had completed treatment and clinical evaluation.

 

   

April 30, 2020 – We announced clinical trial application approval in the Netherlands for Study 755-102-HV, a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled Phase I study designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of INM-755 (two strengths) applied daily for 14 days on epidermal wounds in 8 healthy volunteers.

Additional Indications for INM-755

Once a company has gone to the significant investments of bringing a new chemical entity into human clinical trials, the traditional approach is to investigate as many therapeutic uses of that product in different indications, or specific diseases. We intend to pursue this strategy as a way to leverage our knowledge of CBN and investment in the development of INM-755 as a topical skin cream. Under the assumption that we would use the same formulation for other dermatological indications, there should be no need for further Phase I safety studies allowing us to proceed directly to Phase II safety and preliminary efficacy studies in humans, since the toxicology and initial human safety studies have been completed; however, the adequacy of the nonclinical and human safety data to support new dermatologic indications will be determined by the appropriate health authority. We intend to engage with dermatologists to discuss which diseases might best benefit from INM-755, outside of EB.

 

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INM-088 for the Treatment of Glaucoma

Introduction

Glaucoma is a chronic optic neuropathy that is typically characterized by high intraocular pressure. The cause of glaucoma is understood to be inadequate or obstructed drainage of the fluid in the eye, or “aqueous humor”, through a drainage membrane called the trabecular meshwork, or “TM”, increasing the fluid pressure within the front part of the eye, or “anterior chamber”, and subsequently leading to pressure at the back part of the eye, or “posterior chamber”. The increased intraocular pressure exacts a toll on the nerve cells, called neurons, located at the back of the eye in the retina, thinning the mesh-like tissue in this region and resulting in damage to the neurons and specifically to the optic nerve, which provides the impulses of sight to the brain. This damage leads to blindness. Glaucoma is currently the second leading cause of blindness world-wide and is estimated to affect a population of about 76 million worldwide.

    

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Current glaucoma therapies generally act to lower intraocular pressure either by reducing the aqueous humor production by the cells around the eye, or the “ciliary epithelial cells”, or by increasing fluid drainage through the TM. Nevertheless, we believe that there is considerable room for improvement of existing drugs, most of which are formulated as eye drops, in terms of increasing the amount of drug that can be safely delivered to increase its effect, improving the delivery of the drug into the eye, and the reducing the common effect in currently used therapies that, over time, their efficacy diminishes as the body becomes tolerant to these classes of drugs. Studies have shown that when drugs are delivered as eye drops, less than 5% of the dose penetrates into the eye, indicating that 95% of the administered drug never reaches its desired target as it is wiped away upon blinking. Thus, there is much room for improvement on the drug delivery as a means of increasing clinical efficacy.

CBN is the key API in our second drug candidate, INM-088, which is in preclinical studies as a potential treatment for glaucoma. We are conducting studies to test the ability of CBN to provide protection to the neurons at the back of the eye, referred to as “neuroprotection”, and reduce the intraocular pressure in the eye. We compared several cannabinoids, including CBD and THC, to determine which cannabinoid was the best drug candidate for the treatment of glaucoma. Of all of the cannabinoids examined, CBN demonstrated the most optimal effect of neuroprotection. Furthermore, CBN also exhibited intraocular pressure reduction capability.

Science behind Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases which results in degeneration of neurons, damage to the optic nerve and vision loss. The most common type is open-angle glaucoma, or “OAG”, with less common types including closed-angle glaucoma, or “CAG”, and normal-tension (i.e., no increase in intraocular pressure) glaucoma. OAG develops slowly over time and the patients normally don’t experience pain. If left untreated, side vision may begin to decrease followed by central vision, resulting in blindness. CAG can present gradually or suddenly. The sudden presentation may involve severe eye pain, blurred vision, mid-dilated pupil, redness of the eye and nausea. Vision loss from glaucoma, once it has occurred, is permanent.

 

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Risk factors for glaucoma include increased pressure in the eye, thinness of the cornea, a family history of the condition, age over 40 years in African Americans, and age over 60 years for other ethnic groups (especially Mexican Americans). High intraocular pressure (those with a value of greater than 21 mmHg or 2.8 kPa) is often associated with a greater risk of glaucoma. However, some people may have high eye pressure for years and never develop damage. Conversely, neurodegeneration and optic nerve damage may occur with normal pressure, known as normal-tension glaucoma. The mechanism of OAG is believed to be slow exit of aqueous humor through the trabecular meshwork while in CAG the iris blocks the TM. Diagnosis is typically made by a dilated eye examination.

If treated early, it is possible to slow or stop the progression of the disease with medication, laser treatment, or surgery. Currently, the goal of these treatments is to decrease eye pressure. A number of different classes of glaucoma medication are available. Laser treatments may be effective in both OAG and CAG. Several of types of glaucoma surgeries may be used in people who do not respond sufficiently to other measures. Treatment of CAG is a medical emergency.

Epidemiology

The global prevalence of glaucoma for population aged 40–80 years is 3.54%, of which 75% is OAG. As of 2010, there were 44.7 million people in the world with OAG of which 2.8 million were in the United States. By 2020, the prevalence is projected to increase to 80 million worldwide and 3.4 million the United States. It occurs more commonly among older people. CAG is more common in women. Both internationally and in the United States, glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness.

Current Treatments in Glaucoma

Current treatments for glaucoma include medication, laser treatment and surgery. The goals of glaucoma management are to avoid glaucomatous damage, nerve damage and preserve visual field and total quality of life for patients, with minimal side effects. This requires appropriate diagnostic techniques and follow-up examinations, and judicious selection of treatments for the individual patient. Although intraocular pressure is only one of the major risk factors for glaucoma, lowering it via various pharmaceuticals and/or surgical techniques is currently the mainstay of glaucoma treatment.

Current prescription eyedrop medications targeting intraocular pressure reduction include:

 

   

Prostaglandins and prostaglandin analogs such as latanoprost, bimatoprost and travoprost to increase the outflow of fluid from the eye and reduce ocular pressure. These can sting the eyes, darken the iris and eyelashes, and blur vision;

 

   

Beta blockers such as timolol and betaxolol reduce ocular pressure by reducing the production of fluid in the eye. Possible side effects include wheezing or difficulty breathing, slowed heart rate, lower blood pressure, impotence and fatigue;

 

   

Alpha-adrenergic agonists such as apraclonidine and brimonidine, both reduce the production of aqueous humor and increase the outflow of fluid from the eye. Side effects may include dry mouth, red eyes or eyelids, fatigue, low or high blood pressure, blurred vision and light sensitivity; and

 

   

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors such as dorzolamide and brinzolamide reduce the production of fluid in the eye, but they are associated with blurred vision, bitter metallic taste in the mouth, dry eyes, red/irritated eyes, headache, and upset stomach.

Often patients need to take combination of different drugs and multiple eye drops throughout the day. Given side effect profiles, many patients do not take their medications properly or at all. Surgery and laser therapies are intended to physically improve the drainage of fluid from the eyes and lowering of the intraocular

 

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pressure. Patients with OAG can have clogged channels in the TM opened with laser therapy, filtering surgery (trabeculectomy) or electrocautery. In other cases, small drainage tubes may be implanted in the eye. Possible complications include pain, redness, infection, inflammation, bleeding, abnormally high or low eye pressure and loss of vision. Some types of eye surgery may accelerate the development of cataracts. Additional procedures may be needed if eye pressure continues to increase.

Treatment Considerations based on Glaucoma Severity

    

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Competition for INM-088 in Glaucoma

Due to the large medical need and potentially significant commercial opportunity, the competitive landscape of glaucoma is intense. As such, there are currently over 10 medications approved by the FDA for the treatment of glaucoma, which are summarized in the table below, according to drug class. In addition to the currently approved medications, there are a multitude of other therapies being evaluated in clinical trials, and many others at the preclinical stage. Finally, it should be noted that there are several laser surgeries, and other forms of surgical procedures that are currently being performed to treat glaucoma, which also serve as a source of competition to the therapeutic alternatives.

In December 2017, the FDA approved RHOPRESSA® as the first in a new class of glaucoma treatments known as Rho Kinase inhibitors. RHOPRESSA® is indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Most treatments for glaucoma are designed to lower and/or control intraocular pressure. Glaucoma eye drops often are the first choice over glaucoma surgery and can be very effective initially at controlling intraocular pressure to prevent eye damage. Glaucoma eye drop formulations are often prescribed in combination to achieve an additive or synergistic effect for the best intraocular pressure control. However, some people are poor candidates for various glaucoma eye drops; in particular, those who may react negatively to drug product that may reach other parts of the body. A certain percentage of the active ingredient of the medication, though small, will enter the bloodstream via eye vasculature and may adversely affect other organ functions such as heart rate and breathing.

INM-088 is envisioned as a once- or twice-a-day eye drop medication to compete with treatment modalities in the medicines category if approved for commercialization.

In addition to INM-088, we are only aware of one other pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoid-based therapy being evaluated for the treatment of glaucoma. Specifically, Emerald Biosciences is developing NB1111 (THC-Val-HS) for the treatment of glaucoma. NB1111 is a THC prodrug, which has demonstrated intraocular pressure-lowering efficacy in preclinical models.

 

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Medicines for Glaucoma Treatment (Intraocular Pressure-Lowering Drugs)

    

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Investigational Glaucoma Treatments

Despite the treatments available for lowering the intraocular pressure, there are some individuals for whom these treatments are either not tolerated due to side effects or in whom the intraocular pressure is not sufficiently lowered. In these situations, both glaucoma patient and physician look for alternative therapies.

While some experimental glaucoma medications explore new ways of controlling intraocular pressure, other treatments are directed at protecting the optic nerve (neuroprotection) to prevent eye damage, potential vision loss or even blindness. Many ongoing clinical studies are trying to find neuroprotective agents that might benefit the optic nerve and certain retinal cells in glaucoma.

Some investigational treatments are undergoing FDA clinical trials to prove safety and effectiveness. Other potential glaucoma treatments are strictly in experimental stages and may be years away from the possibility of being available on the marketplace.

Cannabis (THC) to treat Glaucoma

Decades of anecdotal evidence suggests that the use of Cannabis may play a role in lowering intraocular pressure in glaucoma. However, no such products have been formally investigated in clinical trials and none is currently approved for the treatment of this disease. The neuroprotective role of cannabinoids has not heretofore been utilized as a therapeutic strategy in glaucoma, primarily due to great difficulties associated with the targeted delivery of cannabinoids to intraocular tissues. This class of compound is also relatively poorly bioavailable due to its low aqueous solubility.

Previously reported attempts for topical delivery of cannabinoids, in particular, the psychoactive drug THC, to the ocular tissues used formulations based on mineral oil. Until very recently, studies on novel topical ophthalmic formulations of cannabinoids have been largely non-existent. Nevertheless, the use of marijuana to treat glaucoma has extensive anecdotal evidence and some supporting clinical data. It has been definitively demonstrated and widely appreciated, that smoking marijuana lowers intraocular pressure in both normal individuals and in those with glaucoma. Certain drawbacks are associated with the use of (smoked) marijuana to treat glaucoma:

 

   

Marijuana has a short duration of action (only 3-4 hours), meaning that to lower the intraocular pressure around the clock it would have to be smoked every three hours;

 

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Marijuana’s mood-altering effects, almost exclusively via the chemical THC, would prevent the patient who is using it from driving, operating heavy machinery, and functioning at maximum mental capacity; and

 

   

Marijuana cigarettes also contain hundreds of compounds that damage the lungs, and the deleterious effect of chronic, frequent use of marijuana upon the brain is well established.

Other means of administering THC include oral, sublingual, and eye drop instillation. The first two modalities avoid the deleterious effect of marijuana smoke on the lungs but are limited by the other systemic side effects. Other side effects associated with systemic use of THC for glaucoma include: impaired lung function, psychosis, anxiety dependence, tolerance, acute cardiac events and central nervous system-related adverse effects. In one study in which doctors offered some of their patients with worsening glaucoma the option of pills containing THC and/or smoking marijuana, all of them experienced side effects and 4 of 9 patients had discontinued use by either or both methods within 9 months due to side effects. Given that glaucoma is a lifelong disease, commonly requiring treatment for decades, these results strongly suggest that systemic use of THC is not a reasonable treatment option for such patients. The use of eye drops containing THC, or related compounds, has been investigated, but it has not yet been possible to formulate an eye drop that is able to introduce the drug into the eye in sufficient concentrations due to the low poor water solubility of the active ingredients.

Although marijuana may lower the intraocular pressure temporarily, that intraocular pressure-lowering effect is only one consideration in slowing the optic nerve damage of glaucoma. For instance, there is a growing body of evidence that inadequate blood supply to the optic nerve may contribute to glaucoma-related damage. Since marijuana given systemically is known to lower blood pressure, it is possible that such an effect could be damaging to the optic nerve in glaucoma, possibly reducing or eliminating whatever beneficial effect that would be conferred by lowering intraocular pressure. For this reason, marijuana, or its components administered systemically, cannot be recommended without a long-term trial which evaluates the health of the optic nerve.

An exciting finding is the discovery of receptors for cannabinoids in the tissues of the eye itself, suggesting that local administration has the possibility of being effective. Furthermore, there is evidence from research in the brain that there may be properties of the cannabinoids that protect nerve cells like those in the optic nerve. This raises the hope that cannabinoids could protect the optic nerve not only through intraocular pressure-lowering but also through a neuroprotective mechanism. However, unless a well-tolerated formulation of a marijuana-related compound with a much longer duration of action is demonstrated in rigorous clinical testing to reduce optic nerve damage and preserve vision, there is no scientific basis for use of these agents in the treatment of glaucoma.

The wide variety of topically effective anti-glaucoma drugs that are available today, and a few others in the developmental stage, represent significant advancement in ocular therapeutics. While these topical ophthalmic preparations have reduced the risk of systemic toxicity to some extent, their long-term use causes systemic as well as ocular toxicity. Many ophthalmologists generally select the drugs individually and replace them regularly in order to prevent the habituation phenomenon (reduction in effect of the drug over time due to tolerance) and negative side effects.

Drug Discovery Process

To date, we have utilized several preclinical investigations to:

 

   

Compile a list of genes that are associated with development of glaucoma disease from our own in-house curated disease analysis. We grouped these selected genes based on the glaucoma disease hallmarks such as trabecular meshwork remodeling, retinal ganglion cell survival and genes involved in extracellular matrix; and

 

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Better understand the relationship among selected glaucoma disease genes, we constructed a protein-protein interaction network and the graphic view of the interaction network was built for further discovery.

Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease in which various triggers (such as elevated intraocular pressure) induce cascades of events, which ultimately lead to apoptotic retinal ganglion cell death and result in irreversible loss of vision. However, as mentioned above, the goal of all current glaucoma therapies is to reduce intraocular pressure without including any strategies of neuroprotective treatment. In fact, some patients often fail to show much improvement even after intraocular pressure reduction, whereas others develop glaucoma in the absence of elevated intraocular pressure.

Key Preclinical Results for CBN as a Drug Candidate to Treat Glaucoma

INM-088 is an eye-drop CBN formulation being developed for the treatment of glaucoma. The preclinical development program for INM-088 has included a number of studies comparing a number of cannabinoids, including CBN, THC and CBD, among others, to determine which cannabinoid holds the greatest potential to treat glaucoma. This preclinical research to date is comprised of both in vitro and in vivo studies and led to the selection of CBN as the lead drug candidate for further development.

The scope of the in vitro studies to date include the following:

 

  1)

Evaluation of the neuroprotective effects of selected cannabinoids on the differentiated retinal ganglion cells, or “RGCs”, a thin layer of neurons responsible for relaying visual signals in the eye, under normal atmosphere pressure and elevated pressure conditions.

Notably, exposure of RGCs to increasing concentrations of several cannabinoids, including THC and CBD resulted in dose dependent cytotoxicity, or cell death, over time. Importantly, however, CBN-exposed RGCs demonstrated the lowest level of toxicity among the cannabinoids used in these experiments (n=5). In addition, exposure of the RGCs to elevated pressure in a cell based model for glaucoma (without exposure to cannabinoids) for 72 hours resulted in high level of cytotoxicity, whereas exposure of these cells to both an elevated pressure (20-40 mmHg) plus CBN, within the same time-period, resulted in cell survival in a dose dependent fashion. A neuroprotective effect of CBN was also observed under elevated pressure conditions in the pressurized chamber that is designed to mimic the clinical situation of increased intraocular pressure in glaucoma; CBN performed better than both CBD and THC in this preclinical model under identical testing conditions.

 

  2)

Evaluation of anti-apoptotic effects of CBN on the differentiated RGCs when exposed to elevated pressure conditions.

Using the same in vitro model described above, we also looked at a specific, natural self-destruction process called programed cell death, or apoptosis. We verified that CBN has an anti-apoptotic effect on differentiated RGCs when subjected to elevated hydrostatic pressure. Exposure of these cells to high-pressure levels in the pressure chamber apparatus, without exposure to cannabinoids, for 6 hours resulted in an induction of apoptosis ranging from 30-60% (n=3). Exposure of these cells under the same conditions concurrently with CBN prevented apoptosis and resulted in a higher level of cell survival.

 

  3)

Evaluation of CBN impact on the expression of specific extracellular matrix (ECM) markers on primary human trabecular meshwork (TM) cells under normal atmosphere pressure, elevated pressure and following stress-induction with Transforming Growth Factor Beta 2 (TGF-ß2), a cytokine used to alter extracellular matrix metabolism.

A key risk factor for the development and progression of glaucoma is elevated IOP, the result of increased resistance to aqueous humor outflow through the TM. Therefore, evaluation of CBN effects on TM

 

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observed under elevated pressure conditions mimics the clinical presentation of IOP in glaucoma is relevant in the clinical context of the disease. Increased outflow resistance has been strongly correlated with aberrantly elevated levels of TGF-ß2, a cytokine used to alter extracellular matrix metabolism of the TM of glaucoma patients compared to healthy individual. Using human primary TM cells derived from various donors and propagated in vitro at different cell passages, we were able to demonstrate that several extra-cellular matrix proteins, or “ECM” markers, were upregulated either by elevated pressure or by TGF-ß2. Furthermore, CBN treated TM cells under normal pressure, elevated pressure or TGF-ß2 induced conditions for a duration of 72 hours resulted in reduction in the expression of several of these ECM protein markers (n=5).

We also conducted several in vivo experiments to understand the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of CBN in the eye as a potential treatment for glaucoma. The scope of these in vivo studies to date include the following:

 

  4)

Evaluation of CBN pharmacokinetic profile in the eye and plasma of a preclinical model by direct intravitreal (IVT) injection into the eye.

Our first in vivo study was designed to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of CBN in preclinical models, specifically measuring CBN levels in the eye and plasma following direct bilateral IVT injection. This means that individual injections were made directly into the vitreous humor (fluid of the central cavity of the eye). Following IVT delivery, CBN levels from the plasma (n=3 per time point) and the eye (n=6 per time point) were measured at several timepoints using a qualified method. CBN levels in the plasma samples were below the detection limit of the assay. Furthermore, CBN levels in the preclinical eye model were shown to persist for an extended period of time with a projected half-life (t12) in the eye of approximately 33 hrs.

 

  5)

Evaluation of CBN neuroprotective and IOP-lowering effects in a preclinical glaucoma model by IVT injection.

We conducted a preclinical efficacy study to evaluate neuroprotective and IOP lowering effects of CBN following IVT injection in a preclinical episcleral vein laser photocoagulation model for glaucoma. To determine the health of the neurons inside the eye, a diagnostic tool called pattern electroretinogram (pERG) was used to measure electrical activity generated by the neuron in response to light. The baseline pERG measurements were initially made and treatment groups were randomized based on their baseline pERG amplitudes (n=11-14 per group). High IOP was induced unilaterally by laser photocoagulation of episcleral veins (to approximately 19 mmHg). The untreated eye served as a control. CBN was delivered by IVT injection after episcleral laser photocoagulation on three occasions. IOP and pERG were monitored at specific time points throughout the study. Reduction in IOP (to approximately 13 mmHg for the CBN treated group) and improvement of pERG amplitudes (-49.9% form baseline for vehicle control group, -31.6% from baseline for the active control (brimonidine tartrate) group and -31.6% from baseline for the CBN group) were the outcomes measured that are useful in evaluating candidates for a potential glaucoma treatment. In summary, data from this study demonstrated a reduction of IOP and improvement of pERG function following IVT injection of CBN in this preclinical episcleral vein laser photocoagulation model of glaucoma.

Ocular Formulation Development for INM-088

There are a wide variety of topically effective anti-glaucoma drugs that are available today and others in the developmental stage that represent significant advancements for ocular therapeutics. Ophthalmologists typically prescribe drugs individually and then switch to different classes of drugs on a regular basis in order to prevent the habituation phenomenon (reduction in effect of the drug over time) and negative side effects. There is an opportunity for new therapies with low systemic toxicity and those which may not exhibit habituation.

Until very recently, studies on novel topical ophthalmic formulations of cannabinoids have been largely non-existent. Designing an ideal delivery system for any ocular disease depends on molecular properties

 

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of the drug substance and incorporating it into the formulation while taking into consideration parameters such as size, charge, and affinity towards various ocular tissues and pigments.

One of the delivery technologies under development as a potential delivery vehicle for CBN in ocular disease is our proprietary, stimulus-responsive, nanoparticle-laden hydrogel vehicle for spatiotemporal and dosage-controlled release of cannabinoids into the aqueous humor of the eye. This hydrogel is envisioned to be packaged as a liquid and is intended for application as an eye drop. We are currently investigating the compatibility and effectiveness of our hydrogel formulation with CBN as compared to other third-party ocular drug delivery technologies.

For all delivery technologies under examination as candidates for INM-088, key design criteria include, among others:

 

   

Biocompatibility and biodegradability of the formulation;

 

   

Viscous fluid behavior while inside the container (to facilitate ease of manufacturing, handling and dosing);

 

   

Characterized and defined drug release, absorption and subsequent carrier degradation;

 

   

Optimized particle size and surface charge to avoid irritation upon application to the eye and to facilitate ocular penetration; and

 

   

Stable final drug product to ensure drug product quality storage over time.

Next Steps for the INM-088 in Glaucoma Program:

Subject to COVID-related delays and other external factors, we plan to accomplish the following tasks for the INM-088 in Glaucoma program during calendar year 2020 and into calendar year 2021:

 

   

Conduct additional Proof-of-concept preclinical studies (if needed);

 

   

Initiate and complete IND/CTA-enabling toxicology studies;

 

   

Prepare and file regulatory submissions (IND/CTA) and initiate first clinical trials for INM-088.

Key Milestones:

 

   

May 10, 2017 – We announced the filing of a patent (US62/503,258) entitled, “Ocular Drug Delivery Formulation” for INM-085 as a cannabinoid-based topical (hydrogel) therapy for glaucoma, which is an important step in providing intellectual and commercial protection for this therapy. We should note that the patent is for the hydrogel formulation and does not depend on which cannabinoid is used. We are developing a stimulus-responsive, nanoparticle-laden vehicle for controlled delivery of ophthalmic drugs into the aqueous humor of the eye.

 

   

October 24, 2017 – We announced results from a study co-sponsored by us (Dr. Sazzad Hossain, our Chief Scientific Officer at the time) and University of British Columbia (laboratories of Professors Vikramaditya Yadav and Ujendra Kumar). We believe that this InMed-University of British Columbia study is the first ever to report hydrogel-mediated cannabinoid nanoparticle delivery into the eye, resulting in enhanced drug uptake via the cornea and lens. This study further evidences our capacity to conduct a wide spectrum of drug development activities, including:

 

   

packaging the cannabinoid as a nanoparticle;

 

   

formulation of a cannabinoid drug candidate into a novel, tissue specific delivery vehicle; and

 

   

confirmation of drug delivery and diffusion into a target tissue.

 

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In this study, our proprietary hydrogel delivery method offered unique rheological characteristics permitting it to form a thin, uniform coating - essentially a gel-like lens - over the cornea through blinking of the eyelid. This lens holds the drug in place and allows for trans-corneal absorption of the drug, which can then diffuse within the eye to the retina. Total drug delivered using this hydrogel nanoparticle formulation was three-times higher than the control formulation.

 

   

March 6, 2018 – We announced the publication of data on our glaucoma/hydrogel formulation program in the peer-reviewed journal Drug Delivery and Translational Research. The article, titled “A stimulus-responsive, in situ forming, nanoparticle-laden hydrogel for ocular drug delivery”, presents results from preclinical studies co-sponsored by us and was co-authored by Dr. Sazzad Hossain, our Chief Scientific Officer at the time of publication, and conducted at the labs of Drs. Vikramaditya Yadav and Ujendra Kumar at the University of British Columbia. In these studies, the investigators successfully validated the efficient transport of the formulated product in whole-eye experiments. The work seamlessly combined product design, synthetic biology, polymer rheology, and analysis of mass transport within ocular tissue. The hydrogel was formulated as a composite of hyaluronic acid and methylcellulose. Both polymers are biocompatible and highly mucoadhesive, making them ideal candidates for an ocular formulation. The amphiphilic nanoparticles were composed of a block copolymer composed of poly-ethylene oxide and poly-lactic acid, designed to facilitate enhanced cannabinoid drug delivery into the eye

 

   

via the cornea. Results from the experiment verified the performance of a stimulus-responsive switching between thixotropy (thinning of the gel upon a shearing force, such as blinking) and temperature-dependent rheopexy (reforming as a gel after blinking), resulting in a thin, uniform gel-like lens that holds the drug in place to allow for trans-corneal transport. Envisioned as a once-per-day (at bedtime) administration, this formulation is designed to address many of the issues associated with current glaucoma medications.

 

   

May 14, 2018 – We announced the filing of a PCT Application (PCT/CA2018/050548) for a cannabinoid-based topical therapy for glaucoma, which includes the protection of our technology in several countries, including the United States, and claims a priority date from May 8, 2017 (PCT/CA2018/050548). The PCT Application filing is a conversion from the provisional patent filed in May 2017.

 

   

Jan. 20, 2020 – We revealed that the active ingredient in INM-755 and INM-088 is the rare cannabinoid, CBN and that we are the first company to conduct human clinical trials with CBN.

 

   

May 12, 2020 – We announced filing of a PCT application entitled “Compositions and Methods for Use of Cannabinoids for Neuroprotection”. This application was initially filed as a provisional patent application and it is pertaining to the potential of cannabinoids in the prevention of neuron damage associated with glaucoma.

Additional indications in ocular disease

Similar to the strategy being pursued with INM-755, we intend to fully investigate the potential for CBN in INM-088 to treat a wide array of ocular diseases, in particular, the potential for CBN to provide neuroprotection across several diseases where blindness is the ultimate outcome. We are currently pursuing preclinical models to more closely study this effect and will leverage the toxicology and Phase I safety studies across these new indications, if deemed applicable.

Other Development Programs

There is a need to find alternatives to treat chronic and severe pain that are non-addictive and have limited side effects. We have conducted limited preclinical investigations of the potential of non-THC cannabinoids to treat pain using a topical approach. In September 2018, we filed a PCT Application in the United States for INM-405 as cannabinoid-based topical therapies for the treatment of pain, which is an important step in protecting our

 

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intellectual and commercial property. The patent cites a range of cannabinoids, alone or in combination, applied topically to treat various types of pain—muscle, nerve, arthritis-induced joint pain, etc.

Key In Vivo Results for our Pain Program

Important data from our research program for pain medications were published in the European Journal of Pain (2017) and the Archives of Oral Biology (2019). Both publications specifically cited data on the use of THC and certain other cannabinoids, alone and in combination, at varying ratios, in a preclinical pain model. Findings from the published studies include:

 

   

Expression of cannabinoid receptors on masseter ganglion neurons. Both CB1 and CB2 receptor expression was observed in the trigeminal ganglion neurons that innervate the masseter muscle, as well as in the neuronal fibers in the muscle itself. This confirms that these peripheral nerves may be appropriate targets for a cannabinoid therapy;

 

   

Effect of intramuscular injections of THC and certain other cannabinoids, alone and in combination, on nerve growth factor, or “NGF”, induced sensitization. NGF, if injected into a target tissue (muscle), makes the tissue more sensitive to pain, as can be measured by a mechanical threshold, or “MT”, scale. On this scale, a lower number represent a lower pain threshold, or a lower ability to tolerate a painful stimulus. NGF injection resulted in a lowering of the MT score. Applications of THC and certain other cannabinoids, either alone or in combination, were associated with an increase of MT, meaning a higher ability to tolerate pain. It should be noted that the NGF-induced reduction in MT model mimics the type of pain reported by sufferers of TMD. Importantly, these cannabinoids only affected the muscle into which it was injected; there was no effect on surrounding tissue; and

 

   

In a behavioral analysis in these studies, test subjects treated with peripheral application of THC, the leading psychoactive component in marijuana, and certain other cannabinoids did not exhibit any effect on motor function. This indicates that the dose of THC used did not achieve sufficient circulatory distribution to reach the brain where it may exhibit psychoactivity. However, repeat applications of THC may still have potential to induce significant undesirable central effect.

Our INM-405 research program is at an early stage and its continued development is subject to available resources and/or our ability to find funding or strategic partners. Continued investment in our INM-405 research program is under review and we will make a determination as to its future development based on several strategic factors, including other research priorities, in due course.

We have conducted a broad range of research and development activities to explore other uses of cannabinoids in treating human diseases with unmet medical needs. Areas of our research focus have included Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or “COPD”, neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington’s Disease, and breast cancer.

These programs are at various early stages of development and, as non-core assets, their continued development is subject to available resources and/or our ability to find funding or strategic partners. Continued investment in each program is under review and we will make determinations as to which programs to continue based on several strategic factors. In addition, we may choose to partner some or all of these programs with external parties.

Manufacturing

The CBN used in INM-755 and INM-088 is currently sourced from either contract manufacturers or, for smaller quantities, from research material suppliers, that typically utilize synthetic chemistry. This is intended to be an interim step to enable us to proceed with developing its formulations, execute preclinical toxicology

 

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studies and progress through Phase I and IIa clinical trials, after which time we anticipate that we may able to successfully scale-up our biosynthesis program so that it will be commercial-scale ready. Bridging studies consisting of chemical analysis and, possibly, animal bioavailability studies may be required in order to switch our API from the current external manufacturing sources to our internal biosynthesized products.

We expect that the final formulations (API + excipients + packaging) of INM-755 topical cream and the INM-088 eye drop formulation will be manufactured by contract manufacturers and sub-component fabricators. The contract manufacturers and sub-component fabricators will be selected based on their specific competencies in manufacturing, quality standards, and materials. FDA regulations require that products be produced under current cGMP.

Intellectual Property

A patent is a monopoly granted by a government for a period of up to 20 years. A patent provides an enforceable legal right to prevent others from exploiting an invention being a product, device, system, substance, process or method in the country of grant. For an invention to be patentable, it must be novel, involve an inventive step and useful at the time of filing the initial patent application for that invention. At 18 months from the initial patent application, the detailed description of the invention is published. In order to secure patent protection, a patent application is filed with the patent office in each country of interest, the application is considered under the patent laws of that country, and a patent will issue if the application meets the patentability criteria of that country. After a patent expires or lapses, anyone can then use the invention.

The grant of a patent does not guarantee validity and a patent may be challenged by third parties at a patent office by re-examination in some countries or through the courts by revocation proceedings. The grant of a valid patent does not mean that the invention may be exploited in a given country without infringing third party intellectual property rights in that country.

The owner of a patent has the exclusive right to prevent others from making, selling, importing or otherwise using the patented invention for the life of the patent. Patent infringement occurs when someone makes, hires, uses, imports or sells the patented invention, or a product made by a patented method, or offers to do these things, within the country covered by the patent without the permission of the owner of the patent.

Patent applications and patents are subject to payment of renewal fees over the life of the patent in order to maintain patent rights. If the renewal fees are not paid then the application or patent may lapse.

Adequate protection of intellectual property is a means to ensure that we can commercialize our intellectual property and reduce the likelihood of imitation by competitors. We intend to utilize patents available to protect its IP wherever possible. While we cannot patent the naturally occurring individual cannabinoids used in our products, there are a number of other approaches to protect our inventions. These include:

 

   

patents on individual or combinations of cannabinoids that provide novel methods for treating diseases;

 

   

formulations designed specifically to increase the safety and efficacy of drug treatments;

 

   

cannabinoid delivery technology; and

 

   

manufacturing processes for cannabinoids.

 

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The patent methodologies listed above will be designed in a way to thoroughly protect our multi-faceted approach to develop novel cannabinoid medicines.

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The Patent Cooperation Treaty, or “PCT”, is an international patent law treaty, which provides a unified procedure for filing patent applications to protect inventions in each of its member states. There are 151 member countries within the PCT, enabling near-global patent coverage through successful patent prosecution in the U.S., Japan, Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, China, Brazil, Russia, India and many other countries. We have several filed patent applications currently either in the provisional stage or PCT stage of review as shown above. None have been granted to date. We retain the full commercial rights to all of these patents with any exceptions noted in the above table.

Plan of Operation

We expect that the net proceeds from this offering and our existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund our operations and capital requirements for at least the next 12 months. We believe that these available funds will be sufficient to

 

  (i)

For our INM-755 program: complete Phase I clinical trials for INM-755, substantially complete preparation for an INM-755 Phase I/II clinical trial in EB and investigate potential new indications;

 

  (ii)

For our biosynthesis program: complete the scale-up to GMP batch size and conduct additional research into new enzymes for various cannabinoids; and

 

  (iii)

For our INM-088 program: complete ongoing delivery technology studies, potentially in-licensing a delivery technology, initiate and, potentially, complete advanced in vivo glaucoma models utilizing the selected delivery technology.

We are not expecting to materially increase our number of employees nor make any material acquisitions of plants or equipment during this period. The progress of our development programs is uncertain due to numerous factors, including, without limitation, the rate of progress of clinical trials, the results of preclinical studies and clinical trials for such indication, the costs and timing of seeking and obtaining regulatory approvals for clinical trials and regulatory guidance regarding clinical trials for such indication. In addition, it is difficult to predict our required spending for our product candidates prior to obtaining regulatory approval.

 

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Moreover, changing circumstances may cause us to expend cash significantly faster than we currently anticipate, and we may need to spend more cash than currently expected because of circumstances beyond our control.

Properties

Our corporate headquarters are located at Suite 310 - 815 W. Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 1B4, Canada. This office occupies approximately 4,477 square feet with a monthly basic rental rate and operating charges of an estimated C$17,402 for the first two years, C$17,775 for the third and fourth years, and C$18,521 for the fifth year. This lease expires on August 31, 2024.

We believe that our current facilities are adequate to meet our needs for the immediate future, and that, should it be needed, suitable additional space is available to accommodate any expansion of our operations, but such space may not be available in the same building, if and when such space is needed.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we may become involved in ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business. However, as of the date of this registration statement, we are not involved in any material pending legal or governmental proceedings.

 

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REGULATORY OVERVIEW

The development of innovative new drugs is a time-consuming, expensive, and risky process. Despite these challenges, the pharmaceutical industry has been remarkably successful in developing a broad range of important new medicines. It is also a heavily regulated industry. Drugs are evaluated for safety, efficacy, and manufacturing quality as a condition of market access, and promotional messages must adhere to approved product characteristics. Drug prices also are regulated in most countries with national health insurance systems. Regulation of market access and promotion derives from uncertainty about drug safety and efficacy. These product characteristics can only be determined from accumulated experience over large numbers of patients in carefully designed trials or observational studies. The 1962 Amendments to the United States Food and Drug Agency Act extended the powers of the FDA to review safety, efficacy, manufacturing quality and promotion. Subsequent studies concluded that the safety and efficacy requirements added to the intrinsically high cost of research and development, led to launch delay of new drugs and favored large over small firms.

However, more recently the biotechnology revolution has transformed the nature of drug discovery and the structure of the industry. Increasingly, new drugs originate in small firms, which often out-license their products to more experienced firms for later-stage drug development, regulatory review, and commercialization. In any given year, the biotechnology industry may comprise a couple of thousand firms, but the identities of these firms change as new start-ups are formed and established firms grow, merge, or are acquired by other established companies.

Government Regulation and Product Approval

As a preclinical to early clinical stage pharmaceutical company that intends to test, register and commercialize products in the United States and other jurisdictions, we are subject to extensive regulation by various regulatory authorities. The primary regulatory agency in the US is the FDA, in Canada it is HC, and in Europe it is the EMA. Along with these three, there are other federal, state, and local regulatory agencies. In the United States, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or the “FDCA”, and its implementing regulations set forth, among other things, requirements for the research, testing, development, manufacture, quality control, safety, effectiveness, approval, labeling, storage, record keeping, reporting, distribution, import, export, advertising and promotion of our products. Although the discussion below focuses on regulation in the United States, we anticipate seeking approval for, and marketing of, our products in other countries.

Generally, our activities outside the United States will be subject to regulation that is similar in nature and scope as that imposed in the United States, although there can be important differences. Approval in the United States Canada, or Europe does not assure approval by other regulatory agencies, although often test results from one country may be used in applications for regulatory approval in another country. Additionally, some significant aspects of regulation in Europe are addressed in a centralized way through the EMA but country specific regulation remains essential in many respects. A major difference in Europe, when compared to Canada and the United States, is with the approval process. In Europe, there are different procedures that can be used to gain marketing authorization in the European Union. The first procedure is referred to as the centralized procedure and requires that a single application be submitted to the EMA and, if approved, allows marketing in all countries of the European Union. The centralized procedure is mandatory for certain types of medicines and optional for others. The second procedure is referred to as national authorization and has two options; the first is referred to as the mutual recognition procedure and requires that approval is gained from one member state, after which a request is made to the other member states to mutually recognize the approval, whilst the second is referred to as the decentralized procedure which requires a member state to act as the reference member state through a simultaneous application made to other member states.

The process of obtaining regulatory marketing approvals and the subsequent compliance with appropriate federal, state, local and foreign statutes and regulations require the expenditure of substantial time and financial resources and may not be successful. See “Risk Factors”.

 

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U.S. Government Regulation

The FDA is the main regulatory body that controls pharmaceuticals in the United States, and its regulatory authority is based in the United States Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Pharmaceutical products are also subject to other federal, state and local statutes. A failure to comply explicitly with any requirements during the product development, approval, or post approval periods, may lead to administrative or judicial sanctions. These sanctions could include the imposition by the FDA or an Institutional Review Board of a hold on clinical trials, refusal to approve pending marketing applications or supplements, withdrawal of approval, warning letters, product recalls, product seizures, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, injunctions, fines, civil penalties or criminal prosecution.

The steps required before a new drug may be marketed in the United States generally include:

 

   

completion of preclinical studies, animal studies and formulation studies in compliance with the FDA’s GLP regulations;

 

   

submission to the FDA of an IND application to support human clinical testing in the United States;

 

   

approval by an IRB at each clinical site before each trial may be initiated;

 

   

performance of adequate and well-controlled clinical trials in accordance with federal regulations and with GCP regulations to establish the safety and efficacy of the investigational product candidate for each target indication;

 

   

submission of an NDA to the FDA;

 

   

satisfactory completion of an FDA Advisory Committee review, if applicable;

 

   

satisfactory completion of an FDA inspection of the manufacturing facilities at which the investigational product candidate is produced to assess compliance with cGMP, and to assure that the facilities, methods and controls are adequate; and

 

   

FDA review and approval of the NDA.

Clinical Trials

An IND is a request for authorization from the FDA to administer an investigational product candidate to humans. This authorization is required before interstate shipping and administration of any new drug product to humans in the United States that is not the subject of an approved NDA. A 30-day waiting period after the submission of each IND is required prior to the commencement of clinical testing in humans. If the FDA has neither commented on nor questioned the IND within this 30-day period, the clinical trial proposed in the IND may begin. Clinical trials involve the administration of the investigational product candidate to healthy volunteers or patients with the disease under study, under the supervision of qualified investigators following GCPs, an international standard intended to protect the rights and health of patients with the disease under study and define the roles of clinical trial sponsors, administrators and monitors. Clinical trials are conducted under protocols that detail the parameters to be used in monitoring safety, and the efficacy criteria to be evaluated. Each protocol involving testing on patients in the United States and subsequent protocol amendments must be submitted to the FDA as part of the IND. We have not yet submitted an IND in the United States for any clinical programs.

The clinical investigation of an investigational product candidate is generally divided into three phases. Although the phases are usually conducted sequentially, they may overlap or some may be combined. The three phases of clinical investigation are as follows:

 

   

Phase I. Phase I includes the initial introduction of an investigation product candidate into humans. Phase I clinical trials may be conducted in patients with the target disease or condition, or

 

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in healthy volunteers. These studies are designed to evaluate the safety, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, or “PK”, and pharmacologic actions of the investigational product candidate in humans, the side effects associated with increasing doses, and if possible, to gain early evidence on effectiveness. During Phase I clinical trials, sufficient information about the investigational product candidate’s PK and pharmacological effects may be obtained to inform the design of Phase II clinical trials. The total number of participants included in Phase I clinical trials varies but is generally in the range of 20 to 80.

 

   

Phase II. Phase II includes the controlled clinical trials conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the investigational product candidate for a particular indication(s) in patients with the disease or condition under study, to determine dosage tolerance and optimal dosage, and to identify possible adverse side effects and safety risks associated with the product candidate. Phase II clinical trials are typically well controlled, closely monitored, conducted in a limited subject population and usually involving no more than several hundred participants.

 

   

Phase III. Phase III clinical trials are controlled clinical trials conducted in an expanded subject population at geographically dispersed clinical trial sites. They are performed after preliminary evidence suggesting effectiveness of the investigational product candidate has been obtained, are intended to further evaluate dosage, clinical effectiveness and safety, to establish the overall benefit-risk relationship of the product candidate, and to provide an adequate basis for drug approval. Phase III clinical trials usually involve several hundred to several thousand participants. In most cases, the FDA requires two adequate and well controlled Phase III clinical trials to demonstrate the efficacy of the drug.

The decision to terminate development of an investigational product candidate may be made by either a health authority body, such as the FDA or IRB/ethics committees, or by a company for various reasons. The FDA may order the temporary, or permanent, discontinuation of a clinical trial at any time, or impose other sanctions, if it believes that the clinical trial either is not being conducted in accordance with FDA requirements or presents an unacceptable risk to the clinical trial patients. In some cases, clinical trials are overseen by an independent group of qualified experts organized by the trial sponsor or the clinical monitoring board. This group provides authorization for whether or not a trial may move forward at designated check points. These decisions are based on the limited access to data from the ongoing trial. The suspension or termination of development can occur during any phase of clinical trials if it is determined that the participants or patients are being exposed to an unacceptable health risk. In addition, there are requirements for the registration of ongoing clinical trials of Product Candidates on public registries and the disclosure of certain information pertaining to the trials as well as clinical trial results after completion.

New Drug Applications

In order to obtain approval to market a drug in the United States, a marketing application must be submitted to the FDA that provides data establishing the safety and effectiveness of the product candidate for the proposed indication. The application includes all relevant data available from pertinent preclinical studies and clinical trials, including negative or ambiguous results as well as positive findings, together with detailed information relating to the product’s chemistry, manufacturing, controls and proposed labeling, among other things. Data can come from company sponsored clinical trials intended to test the safety and effectiveness of a product, or from a number of alternative sources, including studies initiated by investigators. To support marketing approval, the data submitted must be sufficient in quality and quantity to establish the safety and effectiveness of the investigational product candidate to the satisfaction of the FDA. In most cases, the NDA must be accompanied by a substantial user fee; there may be some instances in which the user fee is waived. The FDA will initially review the NDA for completeness before it accepts the NDA for filing. The FDA has 60 days from its receipt of an NDA to determine whether the application will be accepted for filing based on the agency’s threshold determination that it is sufficiently complete to permit substantive review. After the NDA submission is accepted for filing, the FDA begins an in-depth review. The FDA has agreed to certain performance goals in the review of NDAs. Most such applications for standard review Product Candidates are reviewed within ten to

 

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twelve months. The FDA can extend this review by three months to consider certain late submitted information or information intended to clarify information already provided in the submission. The FDA reviews the NDA to determine, among other things, whether the proposed product is safe and effective for its intended use, and whether the product is being manufactured in accordance with cGMP. The FDA may refer applications for novel Product Candidates that present difficult questions of safety or efficacy to an advisory committee, typically a panel that includes clinicians and other experts, for review, evaluation and a recommendation as to whether the application should be approved and under what conditions. The FDA is not bound by the recommendations of an advisory committee, but it considers such recommendations carefully when making decisions.

Before approving an NDA, the FDA will inspect the facilities at which the product is manufactured. The FDA will not approve the product unless it determines that the manufacturing processes and facilities are in compliance with cGMP requirements and adequate to assure consistent production of the product within required specifications. Additionally, before approving an NDA, the FDA will typically inspect one or more clinical sites to assure compliance with GCP. After the FDA evaluates the NDA and the manufacturing facilities, it issues either an approval letter or a complete response letter. A complete response letter generally outlines the deficiencies in the submission and may require substantial additional testing or information in order for the FDA to reconsider the application. If, or when, those deficiencies have been addressed to the FDA’s satisfaction in a resubmission of the NDA, the FDA will issue an approval letter. Notwithstanding the submission of any requested additional information, the FDA ultimately may decide that the application does not satisfy the regulatory criteria for approval.

An approval letter authorizes commercial marketing of the drug with specific prescribing information for specific indications. Product approval may require substantial post-approval testing and surveillance to monitor the drug’s safety or efficacy. Once granted, product approvals may be withdrawn if compliance with regulatory standards is not maintained or problems are identified following initial marketing.

Disclosure of Clinical Trial Information

Sponsors of clinical trials of certain FDA regulated products, including prescription drugs, are required to register and disclose certain clinical trial information (though not specifically required for Phase I trials) on a public website maintained by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, or “NIH”. Information related to the product, patient population, phase of investigation, study sites and investigator, and other aspects of the clinical trial is made public as part of the registration. Sponsors are also obligated to disclose the results of these trials after completion. Disclosure of the results of these trials can be delayed until the product or new indication being studied has been approved. Competitors may use this publicly available information to gain knowledge regarding the design and progress of our development programs. A short summary of our Phase I study in healthy volunteers was posted on the Netherlands Trial Register.

Advertising and Promotion

The FDA and other federal regulatory agencies closely regulate the marketing and promotion of drugs through, among other things, standards and regulations for direct-to-consumer advertising, communications regarding unapproved uses, industry-sponsored scientific and educational activities, and promotional activities involving the Internet. A product cannot be commercially promoted before it is approved. After approval, product promotion can include only those claims relating to safety and effectiveness that are consistent with the labeling (package insert) approved by the FDA. Healthcare providers are permitted to prescribe drugs for “off-label” uses — that is, uses not approved by the FDA and, therefore, not described in the drug’s labeling — because the FDA does not regulate the practice of medicine. However, FDA regulations impose stringent restrictions on manufacturers’ communications regarding off-label uses.

 

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Post-Approval Regulations

After regulatory approval of a drug is obtained, a company is required to comply with a number of post-approval requirements. For example, as a condition of approval of an NDA, the FDA may require post-marketing testing, including Phase IV clinical trials, and surveillance to further assess and monitor the product’s safety and effectiveness after commercialization. In addition, as a holder of an approved NDA, a company would be required to report adverse reactions and production problems to the FDA, to provide updated safety and efficacy information, and to comply with requirements concerning advertising and promotional labeling for any of its products. Also, quality control and manufacturing procedures must continue to conform to cGMP after approval to assure and preserve the long-term stability of the drug or biological product. The FDA periodically inspects manufacturing facilities to assess compliance with cGMP, which imposes extensive procedural and substantive record keeping requirements. In addition, changes to the manufacturing process are strictly regulated, and, depending on the significance of the change, may require prior FDA approval before being implemented. FDA regulations also require investigation and correction of any deviations from cGMP and impose reporting and documentation requirements upon a company and any third-party manufacturers that a company may decide to use. Accordingly, manufacturers must continue to expend time, money and effort in the area of production and quality control to maintain compliance with cGMP and other aspects of regulatory compliance.

Controlled Substances

The CSA and its implementing regulations establish a “closed system” of regulations for controlled substances. The CSA imposes registration, security, recordkeeping and reporting, storage, manufacturing, distribution, importation and other requirements under the oversight of the DEA, which is the federal agency responsible for regulating controlled substances, and requires those individuals or entities that manufacture, import, export, distribute, research, or dispense controlled substances to comply with the regulatory requirements in order to prevent the diversion of controlled substances to illicit channels of commerce.

Facilities that research, manufacture, distribute, import or export any controlled substance must register annually with the DEA. The DEA registration is specific to the particular location, activity(ies) and controlled substance schedule(s). For example, separate registrations are required for importation and manufacturing activities, and each registration authorizes which schedules of controlled substances the registrant may handle. However, certain coincident activities are permitted without obtaining a separate DEA registration, such as distribution of controlled substances by the manufacturer that produces them.

The DEA categorizes controlled substances into one of five schedules — Schedule I, II, III, IV, or V— with varying qualifications for listing in each schedule. Schedule I substances by definition have a high potential for abuse, have no currently “accepted medical use” in treatment in the United States and lack accepted safety for use under medical supervision. They may be used only in federally approved research programs and may not be marketed or sold for dispensing to patients in the United States. Pharmaceutical products having a currently accepted medical use that are otherwise approved for marketing may be listed as Schedule II, III, IV or V substances, with Schedule II substances presenting the highest potential for abuse and physical or psychological dependence, and Schedule V substances presenting the lowest relative potential for abuse and dependence. The regulatory requirements are more restrictive for Schedule II substances than Schedule III substances. For example, all Schedule II drug prescriptions must be signed by a physician, physically presented to a pharmacist in most situations, and cannot be refilled. Once FDA has approved a medical use for Schedule I drugs, the DEA must reschedule the drug. For example, after FDA approval for Epidiolex®, a purified CBD oil, for the treatment of two rare forms of epilepsy, DEA placed it in Schedule V. Further, on April 6, 2020, GW Pharma announced that Epidiolex® was descheduled by the DEA and is no longer considered a controlled substance.

The DEA inspects all manufacturing facilities to review security, record keeping, reporting and handling prior to issuing a controlled substance registration. The specific security requirements vary by the type of business activity and the schedule and quantity of controlled substances handled. The most stringent requirements apply to

 

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manufacturers of Schedule I and Schedule II substances. Required security measures commonly include background checks on employees and physical control of controlled substances through storage in approved vaults, safes and cages, and through use of alarm systems and surveillance cameras. Manufacturing facilities must maintain records documenting the manufacture, receipt and distribution of all controlled substances. Manufacturers must submit periodic reports to the DEA of the distribution of Schedule I and II controlled substances, Schedule III narcotic substances, and other designated substances. In addition to an importer or exporter registration, importers and exporters must obtain a permit for every import or export of a Schedule I and II substance or Schedule III, IV and V narcotic, and submit import or export declarations for Schedule III, IV and V non-narcotics.

For drugs manufactured in the United States, the DEA establishes annually an aggregate quota for the amount of substances within Schedules I and II that may be manufactured or produced in the United States based on the DEA’s estimate of the quantity needed to meet legitimate medical, scientific, research and industrial needs. The quotas apply equally to the manufacturing of the API and production of dosage forms.

The states also maintain separate controlled substance laws and regulations, including licensing, recordkeeping, security, distribution, and dispensing requirements. State Authorities, including Boards of Pharmacy, regulate use of controlled substances in each state. Failure to maintain compliance with applicable requirements, particularly as manifested in the loss or diversion of controlled substances, can result in enforcement action that could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial condition. The DEA may seek civil penalties, refuse to renew necessary registrations, or initiate proceedings to revoke those registrations. In certain circumstances, violations could lead to criminal prosecution.

CBN as a Controlled Substance

CBN, like any cannabinoid, is subject to the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961) adopted by numerous countries globally, which prohibits the production and supply of specific drugs, except for scientific and research purposes. Under the current UN definition, Cannabis extracts and tinctures are controlled substances. Individual countries (and sometimes jurisdictions within countries) are rapidly changing how they interpret and apply the international rules. Currently there is a broad spectrum of legal statuses based on strength, source and intended use. We are closely monitoring these changes as we prepare for our global Phase I/II clinical trial in EB patients. We expect that there may be different requirements in each region where we have clinical sites.

Several Cannabis-related drugs were placed in lower schedules once they were approved as drugs. For example, the US DEA reduced Epidiolex® (CBD) to Schedule V after it was approved for treatment of two rare forms of childhood epilepsy. In April 2020, the DEA descheduled Epidiolex® entirely.

The passage of the Farm Bill in December 2018 legalized the cultivation of hemp in the United States and the production of hemp-derived non-THC cannabinoids, removing these products from the CSA. Our products use highly purified (>95%) cannabinol, containing <0.3% THC. Our API supplier has received confirmation from the DEA that the CBN in our products is not considered a controlled substance in the United States.

Potential sources of API for INM-755 and INM-088 are in the United States, Canada, Israel, Germany, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and other European countries. We may choose to conduct clinical trials for any of our drug candidates outside the United States subject to regulatory approval. We may decide to develop, manufacture or commercialize our Product Candidates in additional countries. As a result, we will also be subject to controlled substance laws and regulations from the various other regulatory agencies in other countries where we develop, manufacture or commercialize INM-755 and INM-088 in the future.

 

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Marketing Exclusivity

Upon NDA approval of a new chemical entity, which for this purpose is defined as a drug that contains no active moiety that has been approved by the FDA in any other NDA, that drug receives five years of marketing exclusivity during which the FDA cannot approve any abbreviated new drug application, or “ANDA”, seeking approval of a generic version of that drug. Certain changes to the scope of an approval for a drug, such as the addition of a new indication to the package insert, are associated with a three-year period of exclusivity during which the FDA cannot approve an ANDA for a generic drug that includes the change. A Section 505(b)(2) NDA may be eligible for three-year marketing exclusivity, assuming the NDA includes reports of new clinical studies (other than bioequivalence studies) essential to the approval of the NDA.

An ANDA may be submitted one year before marketing exclusivity expires if a Paragraph IV certification is filed. In this case, the 30 months stay, if applicable, runs from the end of the five-year marketing exclusivity period. If there is no listed patent in the FDA’s Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations, commonly known as the Orange Book, there may not be a Paragraph IV certification, and, thus, no ANDA may be filed before the expiration of the exclusivity period.

Additionally, six months of marketing exclusivity in the United States is available under Section 505A of the FDCA if, in response to a written request from the FDA, a sponsor submits and the agency accepts requested information relating to the use of the approved drug in the pediatric population. This six-month pediatric exclusivity period is added to any existing patent or non-patent exclusivity period for which the drug product is eligible.

Patent Term Extension

The term of a patent that covers an FDA approved drug may be eligible for patent-term extension, which provides patent-term restoration as compensation for the patent term lost during the FDA regulatory review process. The United States Federal Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984 permits a patent-term extension of up to five years beyond the expiration of the patent. The length of the patent-term extension is related to the length of time the drug is under regulatory review. Patent extension cannot extend the remaining term of a patent beyond a total of 14 years from the date of product approval and only one patent applicable to an approved drug may be extended. Similar provisions are available in Europe and other foreign jurisdictions to extend the term of a patent that covers an approved drug.

European and Other International Government Regulation

In addition to regulations in the United States and Canada, we will be subject to a variety of regulations in other jurisdictions governing, among other things, clinical trials and any commercial sales and distribution of our products. Whether or not we obtain FDA approval for a product, we must obtain the requisite approvals from regulatory authorities in foreign countries prior to the commencement of clinical trials or marketing of the product in those countries. Some countries outside of the United States have a similar process that requires the submission of a clinical trial application much like the IND prior to the commencement of human clinical trials. In Europe, for example, a clinical trial application must be submitted to each country’s national health authority and an independent ethics committee, much like the FDA and IRB, respectively. Once the clinical trial application is approved in accordance with a country’s requirements, clinical trial development may proceed. In addition to our recently concluded healthy volunteer treatment and clinical evaluation in the first Phase I trial, we also recently submitted a clinical trial application in the Netherlands for a second Phase I clinical study in healthy volunteers.

The UK is currently in a transition period until Dec. 31, 2020, during which it will continue to abide by the EU regulatory processes; however, they may adopt different or additional procedures following the transition period.

To obtain regulatory approval to commercialize a new drug under EU regulatory systems, we must submit a MAA. The MAA is similar to the NDA, with the exception of, among other things, country-specific document requirements.

 

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For other countries outside of the EU, such as countries in Eastern Europe, Latin America or Asia, the requirements governing the conduct of clinical trials, product licensing, pricing and reimbursement vary from country to country. Internationally, clinical trials are generally required to be conducted in accordance with GCP, applicable regulatory requirements of each jurisdiction and the medical ethics principles that have their origin in the Declaration of Helsinki.

Compliance

During all phases of development (pre- and post-marketing), failure to comply with applicable regulatory requirements may result in administrative or judicial sanctions. These sanctions could include the FDA’s imposition of a clinical hold on trials, refusal to approve pending applications, withdrawal of an approval, warning letters, product recalls, product seizures, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, product detention or refusal to permit the import or export of products, injunctions, fines, civil penalties or criminal prosecution. Any agency or judicial enforcement action could have a material adverse effect.

Other Special Regulatory Procedures

Fast Track Designation

Under the Fast Track program, the sponsor of an IND may request the FDA to designate the drug candidate as a Fast Track drug if it is intended to treat a serious condition and fulfill an unmet medical need. The FDA must determine if the drug candidate qualifies for Fast Track designation within 60 days of receipt of the sponsor’s request. Once the FDA designates a drug as a Fast Track candidate, it is required to facilitate the development and expedite the review of that drug by providing more frequent communication with and guidance to the sponsor.

In addition to other benefits such as the ability to use surrogate endpoints and have greater interactions with the FDA, the FDA may initiate review of sections of a Fast Track drug’s NDA before the application is complete. This rolling review is available if the applicant provides, and the FDA approves, a schedule for the submission of the remaining information and the applicant pays applicable user fees. However, the FDA’s review period for filing and reviewing an application does not begin until the last section of the NDA has been submitted. Additionally, the Fast Track designation may be withdrawn by the FDA if the FDA believes that the designation is no longer supported by data emerging in the clinical trial process.

Breakthrough Therapy Designation

The FDA may provide the Breakthrough Therapy designation to drugs to expedite the development and review of a candidate that is planned for use to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition when preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies on one or more clinically significant endpoints. A Breakthrough Therapy designation includes all of the Fast Track program features, as well as more intensive FDA guidance on an efficient drug development program. The FDA also has an organizational commitment to involve senior management in such guidance.

Orphan-Drug Designation

The FDA may grant orphan-drug designation to drugs intended to treat a rare disease or condition that affects fewer than 200,000 individuals in the United States, or, if the disease or condition affects more than 200,000 individuals in the United States, if there is no reasonable expectation that the cost of developing and making the drug would be recovered from sales in the United States. In the European Union, the EMA’s Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products grants orphan-drug designation to promote the development of products that are intended for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of life-threatening or chronically debilitating conditions affecting not more than five in 10,000 persons in the European Union community. Additionally, the orphan-drug designation is granted for products intended for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of a life-threatening, seriously debilitating or serious and chronic condition and when, without incentives, it is unlikely that sales of the drug in the European Union would be sufficient to justify the necessary investment in developing the drug.

 

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In the United States, orphan-drug designation entitles a party to financial incentives, such as opportunities for grant funding towards clinical trial costs, tax credits for certain research and user fee waivers under certain circumstances. In addition, if a product receives the first FDA approval for the indication for which it has orphan-drug designation, the product is entitled to seven years of market exclusivity, which means the FDA may not approve any other application for the same drug for the same indication for a period of seven years, except in limited circumstances, such as a showing of clinical superiority over the product with orphan-drug exclusivity. Orphan-drug exclusivity does not prevent the FDA from approving a different drug for the same disease or condition, or the same drug for a different disease or condition. In the European Union, orphan-drug designation also entitles a party to financial incentives such as reduction of fees or fee waivers and ten years of market exclusivity following drug approval. This period may be reduced to six years if the orphan-drug designation criteria are no longer met, including where it is shown that the product is sufficiently profitable not to justify maintenance of market exclusivity. Orphan-drug designation must be requested before submission of an application for marketing approval. Orphan-drug designation does not convey any advantage in, or shorten the duration of, the regulatory review and approval process.

Priority Review (United States) and Accelerated Assessment (European Union)

Based on results of the Phase III clinical trial(s) submitted in an NDA, upon the request of an applicant, a priority review designation may be granted to a product by the FDA, which sets the target date for FDA action on the application at six months from the FDA’s decision on priority review application, or eight months from the NDA filing. Priority review is given where preliminary estimates indicate that a product, if approved, has the potential to provide a safe and effective therapy where no satisfactory alternative therapy exists, or a significant improvement compared to marketed products is possible. If criteria are not met for priority review, the standard FDA review period is ten months from the FDA’s decision on priority review application, or 12 months from the NDA filing. The priority review designation does not change the scientific/medical standard for approval or the quality of evidence necessary to support approval.

Under the Centralized Procedure in the European Union, the maximum timeframe for the evaluation of a MAA is 210 days (excluding “clock stops,” when additional written or oral information is to be provided by the applicant in response to questions asked by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, or “CHMP”). Accelerated evaluation might be granted by the CHMP in exceptional cases, when a medicinal product is expected to be of a major public health interest, which takes into consideration: the seriousness of the disease (e.g., disabling or life-threatening diseases); the absence or insufficiency of an appropriate alternative therapeutic approach; and anticipation of high therapeutic benefit. In this circumstance, EMA ensures that the opinion of the CHMP is given within 150 days.

Accelerated Approval

Under the FDA’s accelerated approval regulations, the FDA may approve a drug for a serious or life-threatening illness that provides meaningful therapeutic benefit to patients over existing treatments based upon a surrogate endpoint that is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit. This approval mechanism is provided for under 21CRF314 Subpart H and 21CRF601 Subpart E. In this case, clinical trials are conducted in which a surrogate endpoint is used as the primary outcome for approval. A surrogate endpoint is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit, or an effect on a clinical endpoint that can be measured earlier than an effect on irreversible morbidity or mortality, that is reasonably likely to predict an effect on irreversible morbidity or mortality or other clinical benefit, taking into account the severity, rarity, or prevalence of the condition and the availability or lack of alternative treatments. This surrogate endpoint substitutes for a direct measurement of how a patient feels, functions, or survives and is considered reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit. Such surrogate endpoints may be measured more easily or more rapidly than clinical endpoints. A drug candidate approved on this basis is subject to rigorous post-marketing compliance requirements, including the completion of Phase IV or post-approval clinical trials to confirm the effect on the clinical endpoint. When the Phase IV commitment is successfully completed, the biomarker is deemed to be a surrogate endpoint. Failure to conduct required post-approval studies or confirm a clinical benefit during post-marketing studies, could lead the FDA to withdraw the drug from the market on an expedited basis. All promotional materials for drug candidates approved under accelerated regulations are subject to prior review by the FDA.

 

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Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher

The FDA has an incentive program to stimulate development of new drugs for rare pediatric diseases that are serious or life-threatening. The drug must be a new active ingredient that has never been approved in any prior application (including any ester or salt of the active ingredient) and the rare pediatric disease application must meet the criteria for a priority review itself.

If a sponsor (a company) gets a new drug approved for such a rare and serious or life-threatening pediatric disease, they are eligible to receive a pediatric rare disease priority review voucher. The holder of such a voucher is entitled to a priority review of a different NDA at a future date, subject to certain conditions. Priority reviews are to be completed within six months instead of the usual 10 months after the 60-day filing period and acceptance of an NDA for review. The voucher can be used by the original sponsor or transferred (including by sale) to another party. Such vouchers are considered quite valuable. The EB indication would meet the criterion for being either serious or life-threatening and it might meet the criteria for a rare pediatric disease if current prevalence data for the United States indicates that 50% or more of the patients with EB are age 18 years or younger. An NDA filed for that indication might meet the requirements for receiving a priority review voucher upon approval, depending on the quality of efficacy and safety demonstrated in well-controlled clinical studies.

These vouchers, once awarded to a sponsor, are fully transferable to third parties who, in turn, can use it for priority review of any drug application, not specifically for a rare pediatric disease. Accordingly, there is a financial incentive for companies to pursue rare pediatric diseases.

Other Healthcare Laws and Compliance Requirements

In the United States, our activities are potentially subject to additional regulation by various federal, state and local authorities in addition to the FDA, including, among others, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, other divisions of HHS, the DOJ, and individual United States Attorney offices within the DOJ and state and local governments.

 

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MANAGEMENT

The following table provides information regarding our executive officers and directors as of March 31, 2020:

 

Name

 

Age

  

Position(s)

Executive Officers:     

Eric A. Adams, MIBS (1)

  56    President, Chief Executive Officer, Director

Bruce Colwill, CPA, CA

  55    Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary

Eric C. Hsu, PhD

  50    Sr. Vice President, Preclinical Research & Development

Alexandra D.J. Mancini, MSc

  67    Sr. Vice President, Clinical & Regulatory Affairs

Michael Woudenberg, PEng

  50    Vice President, Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls
Non-Employee Directors     

Adam Cutler (2) (3) (5)

  45    Director

William J. Garner, MD (2) (4) (5)

  53    Chairman, Director

Andrew Hull (2) (3) (4) (5)

  56    Director

Catherine A. Sazdanoff, JD (2) (3) (4) (5)

  63    Director

 

(1)

Not an independent director under Nasdaq listing standards and Canada’s National Instrument 58-101 – Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices because he is an executive officer of our company.

(2)

Independent director under Nasdaq listing standards and Canada’s National Instrument 58-101 – Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices.

(3)

Member of the Audit Committee.

(4)

Member of the Compensation Committee.

(5)

Member of the Nomination & Governance Committee.

The following is a biographical summary of the experience of our executive officers, other senior management and directors. There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers, other senior management or directors.

Executive Officers

Eric A. Adams, MIBS – President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Mr. Adams is a seasoned biopharmaceutical executive with over 30 years’ experience in company and capital formation, global market development, mergers and acquisitions, licensing and corporate governance. Mr. Adams has been our President and Chief Executive Officer, and a Director, since 2016. During the period from 2011 to 2016, Mr. Adams served as a mentor and senior consultant to several biopharmaceutical and innovative technology companies, including interim CEO for Ronin8, Inc. in 2015. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer at EnGene Inc. between 2004 and 2011. Prior to EnGene, he held senior roles in global market development with QLT Inc., Advanced Tissues Science Inc., Abbott Laboratories, and Fresenius AG. He is a dual citizen of Canada and the United States and holds a Master of International Business degree from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Southern Indiana. Mr. Adams makes valuable contributions to the Board based on his extensive international business development experience in a wide range of disease categories and contributions to growing several organizations across the pharmaceutical and medical device arenas.

 

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Bruce S. Colwill, CPA, CA – Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary

Mr. Colwill, who has served as our Chief Financial Officer since August 9, 2019, has over 25 years of financial leadership experience in both public and private companies. Prior to serving as our Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Colwill served as Chief Financial Officer of General Fusion Inc., a private clean energy company, from March 2016. Previously, Mr. Colwill was Chief Financial Officer at Entrée Resources Inc., a mineral exploration company, from February 2011 to March 2016. He has also held Chief Financial Officer roles at Neuromed Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Response Biomedical Corp, Forbes Medi-Tech Inc. and Euronet Worldwide Inc. In addition to has experience with equity, debt and other structured financings, Mr. Colwill has experience in both in-licensing and out-licensing biopharmaceutical products as well as in mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Colwill, having completed the Governance Professionals of Canada Education Program, holds a GPC.D designation. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University and is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of BC.

Eric Hsu, PhD – Senior Vice President, Preclinical Research & Development

Dr. Hsu has over 18 years of scientific leadership experience in the field of gene therapy and drug development. He has been our Senior Vice President, Preclinical Research & Development since March 2018. Prior to joining our company, he held various positions within EnGene Inc. from 2002 to 2018, including V.P. of Research and V.P. of Scientific Affairs and Operations. His experience includes a wide array of activities, including preclinical research, formulation development and manufacturing process development, as well as patent prosecution, vendor contract negotiations and execution, and research partnerships. He received his Doctorate degree from the Department of Medical Biophysics at University of Toronto, his Bachelor’s degree from McGill University and completed his post-doctoral training at Amgen Inc.

Alexandra D.J. Mancini, MSc – Senior Vice President, Clinical & Regulatory Affairs

Ms. Mancini has over 30 years of global biopharmaceutical research and development experience with a particular emphasis on clinical development and regulatory affairs. She has been our Senior Vice President, Clinical & Regulatory Affairs, since 2016, responsible for the full scope of the INM-755 development program for EB. Ms. Mancini has been an executive with several biotech companies, overseeing a wide range of drug development activities. From 2012 to 2016, she was a consultant to several biopharmaceutical companies via her consulting firm, True North Synergy, Inc. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Mancini served as SVP of Clinical & Regulatory Affairs at Sirius Genomics. She also held leadership positions at Inex Pharmaceuticals and QLT Inc. While at QLT, she played a significant role in the development and regulatory approvals of VISUDYNE® and PHOTOFRIN®. Ms. Mancini holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Toronto.

Michael Woudenberg, PEng – Vice President, Chemistry, Manufacturing & Controls

Mr. Woudenberg joined our company with over 20 years of engineering, leadership and cGMP Regulations-compliant manufacturing and scale-up experience with regards to the development, technology transfer and commercialization of APIs and drug products. Prior to joining our company in November of 2018, Mr. Woudenberg held various positions within 3M from 1995 to 2000, Cardiome Pharma from 2005 to 2007, Arbutus Biopharma (formerly Inex and Tekmira Pharmaceuticals) from 2000 to 2005 and from 2007 to 2010 and most recently as the Managing Director of Phyton Biotech, LLC from 2010 to 2018. His experience includes process and formulation development from lab / preclinical products through the various stages of clinical development to validated and successfully approved and inspected commercial APIs and drug products. Mr. Woudenberg received his Bachelor of Science, Chemistry and Bachelor of Engineering Science, Chemical degrees at Western University of London, Ontario, Canada.

 

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Non-Employee Directors

William J. Garner, MD – Director, Chairman of the Board

Dr. Garner, a biotech industry entrepreneur with over 25 years’ experience, is the founder of EGB Ventures, where he has focused on advancing technologies and companies to significant value inflection points, leading to monetization of assets via licensing, M&A or IPO transactions, a position he has held since 2002. Dr. Garner has served as Non-Executive Chairman & Founder of Race Oncology since 2016 and as Founder and Chairman at Isla Pharmaceuticals since 2017. He was a founder and served as both executive and director for IGXBio, Invoin Limited and Del Mar Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Garner brings additional medical affairs experience from his tenure at Hoffmann LaRoche’s oncology division in 1999. Prior to Roche, Dr. Garner was a healthcare merchant banker in New York City. He has a Master of Public Health from Harvard and earned his M.D. at New York Medical College. Dr. Garner did residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Columbia-Presbyterian and is currently a licensed physician in the State of New York. Dr. Garner makes valuable contributions to the Board based on his extensive director-level and executive-management experience, as well as his medical background. Mr. Garner has been a director of our company since June 2016.

Adam Cutler – Director

Mr. Cutler is currently Chief Financial Officer at Molecular Templates, a position he has held since 2017. Previously, he was Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Arbutus Biopharma from 2015 until 2017 and, prior to that, was Managing Director at The Trout Group LLC from 2012 until 2015, where he executed financings and advised a wide range of life science companies on investor relations, business development, and capital raising strategies. Mr. Cutler spent almost 12 years as a sell-side analyst with firms including Credit Suisse, Canaccord Genuity, JMP Securities, and Bank of America Securities. He also worked in healthcare consulting as an Analyst at The Frankel Group and a Consultant for Ernst & Young LLP. Mr. Cutler holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Brandeis University. Mr. Cutler serves as a Director of Navidea Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. Mr. Cutler makes valuable contributions to the Board based on his over 20 years of experience in the global healthcare industry, where he successfully held senior leadership positions in various roles from equity research, corporate affairs and strategy, investor relations and consulting. Mr. Cutler has been a director of our company since November 2015.

Andrew Hull – Director

Mr. Hull most recently served as Vice President of Global Alliances for Takeda Pharmaceuticals from 2014 to 2018, where he was responsible for maximizing the success of Takeda’s growing number (40+) of commercial and research and development partnerships with many of the industry’s leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies. In previous roles, he led marketing and commercial development of Takeda’s U.S. portfolio of over $3 billion. Additionally, he held positions of increasing responsibility at Immunex and Abbott Laboratories. Mr. Hull received a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Kenyon College in 1985. He also recently served as a member of the Board of the Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization, where he served two terms as Chairman, and recently was a member of the Kenyon College Board of Trustees. Mr. Hull recently served as a Director of Zucara Therapeutics. Mr. Hull makes valuable contributions to the Board based on his over 30 years of experience in various commercial and business development roles with leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Mr. Hull has been a director of our company since September 2016.

Catherine A. Sazdanoff, JD – Director

Ms. Sazdanoff, who joined our Board effective July 1, 2019, is a 35-year veteran of the global pharmaceutical industry and currently serves as President and CEO of Sazdanoff Consulting LLC, founded in 2014, where she works with healthcare companies on strategy and corporate/business development. Prior to Sazdanoff Consulting, Ms. Sazdanoff held various global VP roles in corporate/business development and finance at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, where she joined in 2006. Prior to Takeda, Ms. Sazdanoff served in senior management positions at Abbott Laboratories since 1984, including litigation, commercial and transactional legal

 

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roles, marketing, compliance, and business development. At both Takeda and Abbott, she completed numerous transformational deals, including Abbott’s acquisition of Knoll (with Humira®), and Takeda’s acquisitions of Millennium and Nycomed. Ms. Sazdanoff is a Director of Meridian Bioscience and previously served as a senior advisor to Strata Oncology. She earned a BA degree from the University of Notre Dame and a JD degree from Northwestern University School of Law. Ms. Sazdanoff makes valuable contributions to the Board based on her over 30 years of experience in various legal, compliance, commercial and business development roles with leading pharmaceutical companies.

Scientific Advisory Board

We seek external expertise to augment our internal abilities in all aspects of drug development in the form of consultants and scientific advisors. Our Scientific Advisory Board, or “SAB”, has experience in the areas of cannabinoid science, formulation development, biosynthesis manufacturing and clinical practice for areas related to our drug development programs. The current members of our SAB are:

Dr. Steven M. Dinh, PhD – Scientific Advisor

Dr. Dinh has more than 30 years of pharmaceutical and biotech executive leadership esperience, with proven success in developing and commercializing dermal pharmaceutical products by applying innovative drug delivery technologies. His accomplishments in pharmaceutical product development and drug delivery technology innovations have resulted in over 22 issued U.S. patents, 44 published patent applications, 6 NDA approvals and the successful commercialization of 9 products to serve the unmet needs of patients. Dr. Dinh currently serves on the Editorial Board of Therapeutic Delivery. In addition, Dr. Dinh is a Fellow of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, and a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. He received his doctoral degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Dr. Mauro Maccarrone, PhD – Scientific Advisor

Dr. Maccarrone is Professor and Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Campus Bio-Medico, University of Rome. He also serves as Director of the Laboratory of Lipid Neurochemistry of the European Center for Brain Research-IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation in Rome. Prof. Maccarrone served as the President of the International Cannabinoid Research Society and was the recipient of their 2016 Mechoulam Award. He also served as Chair of the 2015 Gordon Research Conference on Cannabinoid Function in the CNS and is a founding member of the European Cannabinoid Research Alliance. In addition to having authored over 460 published papers. Dr. Maccarrone serves as referee on the editorial boards to numerous scientific journals, including Science, Nature Medicine, JAMA, PNAS, Blood, Brain, Journal of NeuroscienceFrontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, Cannabinoids and Cannabinoid Research. He is also Editor of Biochemistry for the Encyclopedia of Life Sciences.

Dr. Vikramaditya Yadav, PhD – Scientific Advisor

Dr. Yadav is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering and School of Biomedical Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC), and currently serves as the Chair of the Biotechnology Division of the Chemical Institute of Canada. He has been recognized by Medicine Maker journal as one of the 100 most influential people in drug development and manufacturing. Dr. Yadav received his Doctorate in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His graduate work focused on enzyme and microbial metabolic engineering for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals. He later conducted post-doctoral research on biophysics and biological thermodynamics at Harvard University. He joined UBC, Canada’s pre-eminent center for biotechnology research, in the summer of 2014 and has since established a world-leading, industry-connected research group that works on wide-ranging topics such as metagenomics, plant chemistry, tissue engineering, drug discovery and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Dr. Yadav received his Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo.

 

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Director Independence

Our Board is currently composed of five directors, of whom Messrs. Cutler, Garner, Hull, and Sazdanoff meet the independence standards under the listing standards of Nasdaq and NI 52-110. Each year the Board reviews the composition of the Board and assesses whether a member of the Board is “independent”. Mr. Eric A. Adams, our President and Chief Executive Officer, is not an independent director because of his role in our management team.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

Prior to March 23, 2018, Eric A. Adams was a member of our compensation committee. He resigned from the compensation committee on March 23, 2018. No other member of our compensation committee has ever been an executive officer or employee of ours. None of our officers currently serves, or has served during the last completed year, on the Board, compensation committee or other committee serving an equivalent function, of any other entity that has one or more officers serving as a member of our Board or compensation committee.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Overview

The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that are based on our current plans, considerations, expectations and determinations regarding future compensation programs. The actual amount and form of compensation and the compensation policies and practices that we adopt in the future may differ materially from currently planned programs as summarized in this discussion.

As an “emerging growth company,” we have opted to comply with the executive compensation disclosure rules applicable to “smaller reporting companies,” as such term is defined in the rules promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933. This section provides an overview of the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to each individual who served as our principal executive officer during our fiscal year 2019, and our next two most highly compensated executive officers in respect of their service to our company for fiscal year 2019. We refer to these individuals as our “NEOs”. Our NEOs for fiscal year 2019 are:

 

   

Eric A. Adams, our President and Chief Executive Officer;

 

   

Michael Woudenberg, our Vice President, Chemistry, Manufacturing & Controls; and

 

   

Eric Hsu, Ph.D., our Senior Vice President of Preclinical Research and Development.

Our executive compensation program is based on a pay for performance philosophy. Compensation for NEOs is composed primarily of the following main components: base salary, bonus, and equity incentives in the form of stock options to purchase common shares. Like all full-time employees, our executive officers are eligible to participate in our health and welfare benefit plans.

Annual Cash Incentive Awards

An annual cash incentive plan has been developed by us to encourage the achievement of our critical success factors, or goals. The target award level is determined by position and typically ranges from 30%-40% of base salary for our executives. Goals are determined by the direct supervisor of each employee, in discussion with the CEO and, ultimately, the Compensation Committee and Board.

The goals for each position are split into two segments: Task Achievement and Personal Effectiveness. The Task Achievement portion is heavily weighted (75%) and aligns with the overall corporate objectives. The Personal Effectiveness (25%) portion analyzes several criteria for each employee such as initiative, problem solving, teamwork, integrity, and leadership, among other criteria. Scoring for both sections are combined to determine what percentage of the employee’s target bonus will be paid, if any.

An example:

Task Achievement (50/75) + Personal Effectiveness (23/25) = Goal Achievement Score (73%);

Goal Achievement Score (73%) x Target Bonus (30%) x Base Salary ($100,000) = Cash Bonus ($21,900)

In addition to the goals described above, the payment of cash incentive awards to employees, if any, is subject to the following conditions as determined by the Board:

 

   

Our financial position. As determined solely by the Board, our current cash position vis-à-vis the anticipated research and development expenditures, markets for raising capital and other factors play an overriding role in the payment of any bonuses to any employees.

 

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Achievement of critical corporate strategic goals. Should we fail to reach our key corporate strategic goals, as defined by the Board at the beginning of each fiscal year, then the payment of any cash incentive awards to any employee, regardless of their specific role within the company, may be negatively impacted such that the Board may determine that no awards be paid to anyone.

Additionally, the Board has the sole discretion to award a bonus to any individual employee beyond the target bonus amount based on significantly exceeding their goals, or through accomplishment of objectives well beyond the scope of their role.

Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards

Pursuant to the stock option plan, approved by our shareholders at our special meeting on March 24, 2017, our Board may, from time to time, in its discretion and in accordance with the TSX requirements, grant to our directors, officers, employees and consultants, non-transferable options to purchase common shares, provided that the number of common shares reserved for issuance will not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the issued and outstanding common shares at the date the options are granted (on a non-diluted basis), exercisable for a period of up to ten (10) years from the date of grant.

The exercise price and the term of options are determined by the Board and are subject to approval by the TSX. However, the exercise price cannot be lower than the greater of the closing market price of the common shares on the trading day prior to the date of grant of the options and the date of grant of the options.

The vesting dates or performance-based milestones that trigger vesting will be as specified by the Board at the time of granting the option.

In the event an optionee dies prior to the expiration of his option, his legal representatives may, by the earlier of:

 

  a)

one year from the date of the optionee’s death (or such lesser period as may be specified by the Board at the time of granting the option); and

 

  b)

the expiration date of the option;

exercise any portion of such option.

If an optionee ceases to be a director, officer, employee or consultant for any reason other than death, his option shall terminate as specified by the Board at the time of granting the option, and all rights to purchase common shares under such option shall cease and expire and be of no further force or effect.

Subject to TSX policies, if any option granted under the plan shall expire or terminate for any reason without having been exercised in full, such unexercised options shall become available for future option grants under the plan.

The Board may amend the plan, subject to, as the case may require, the approvals of the TSX, shareholders or the optionees who have been granted options.

 

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Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table summarizes information about our equity compensation plans as of March 31, 2020:

 

Plan Category

   Number of
Securities

to be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options,

Warrants and
Rights
     Weighted-
Average

Exercise Price of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants

and Rights
     Number of
Securities
Remaining

Available for Future
Issuance

Under Equity
Compensation

Plans (1)
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

     19,462,500      C$ 0.45        14,994,227  

Total

     19,462,500      C$ 0.45        14,994,227  

 

(1)

The maximum number of shares issuable under our stock option plan is limited to 20% of the total number of common shares issued and outstanding from time to time. The figures in this column are based upon 172,283,633 common shares issued and outstanding as at March 31, 2020.

2019 Summary Compensation Table

 

Name and

principal

position

  Fiscal
year
  Salary &
Consulting
($)
    Share-
based
awards
($)
    Option-
based
awards 1
($)
    Non-equity
incentive plan
compensation ($)
    Pension
value
($)
    All other
compensation
($)
    Total
compensation
($)
 
                          Annual
incentive
plans
    Long-
term
incentive
plans
                   

Eric A. Adams

President and CEO

  2019

2018

   

287,128

238,014

 

 

   

—  

—  

 

 

   

721,322

396,071

 

 

   

94,148

88,783

 

 

   

—  

—  

 

 

   

—  

—  

 

 

   

—  

—  

 

 

   

1,102,598

722,868

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Michael Woudenberg 2

Vice President, Chemistry, Manufacturing & Controls

  2019

2018

   

134,463

—  

 

 

     

91,029

—  

 

 

   

37,692

—  

 

 

         

263,184

—  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Eric Hsu 3

Senior Vice President of Preclinical Research and Development

  2019

2018

   

175,299

33,057

 

 

   

—  

—  

 

 

   

319,382

162,944

 

 

   

62,008

13,125

 

 

   

—  

—  

 

 

   

—  

—  

 

 

   

—  

—  

 

 

   

556,689

209,126

 

 

 

1

The amounts reported represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the stock options awarded to the non-employee directors in the fiscal year 2019, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Such grant date fair values do not take into account any estimated forfeitures. The assumptions used in calculating the grant date fair value of the stock options reported in this column are set forth in note 7 of our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The amounts reported in this column reflect the accounting cost for these stock options and do not correspond to the actual economic value that may be received by the non-employee directors upon the exercise of the stock options or any sale of the underlying common shares.

2

Michael Woudenberg was appointed Vice President, Chemistry, Manufacturing & Controls on November 5, 2018.

3

Eric Hsu was appointed Vice President of Preclinical Research and Development on March 8, 2018.

 

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Narrative to 2019 Summary Compensation Table

Base Salaries: We use base salaries to recognize the experience, skills, knowledge and responsibilities required of all our employees, including our NEOs employed by us. Base salaries are generally reviewed annually, typically in connection with our annual performance review process, and adjusted from time to time to realign salaries with market levels after taking into account individual responsibilities, performance and experience. For fiscal year 2019, the annual base salaries for Mr. Adams and Mr. Woudenberg were $287,128 and $204,012, respectively. Dr. Hsu’s salary for the period from July 1, 2018 through August 31, 2018 based on a 50% time commitment, was $105,784, from September 1, 2018 through February 28, 2019 based on an 80% time commitment, was $135,404 which was increased to $219,124 on March 1, 2019 when Dr. Hsu increased his time commitment to 100%.

Annual Bonuses: During fiscal year 2019, Mr. Adams, Mr. Woudenberg and Dr. Hsu earned bonuses as set forth in the 2019 Summary Compensation Table above based on company and individual performance metrics.

Equity Compensation: Although we do not have a formal policy with respect to the grant of equity incentive awards to our executive officers, we believe that equity grants provide our executives with a strong link to our long-term performance and help to align the interests of our executives and our shareholders. Our Board periodically reviews the equity incentive compensation of our NEOs and from time to time may grant equity incentive awards to them. During fiscal year 2019, we granted an option to purchase our common shares to Mr. Adams, Mr. Woudenberg and Dr. Hsu, as described in more detail in the “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2019 Year End” table.

Executive Employment Agreements

The following are descriptions of the employment agreements with our NEOs. For a discussion of the severance pay and other benefits to be provided in connection with a termination of employment and/or a change in control under the arrangements with our NEOs, please see “Non-Employee Director Compensation—Termination and Change of Control Benefits” below.

Eric A. Adams: On June 15, 2016 we entered into an employment agreement with Eric A. Adams with an effective date of June 16, 2016 providing for compensation at an initial annual base salary C$120,000. The employment agreement provided that Mr. Adams’ base salary would increase upon the achievement of certain capital raising initiatives. Upon achievement of these milestones, Mr. Adams’ base salary increased to C$220,000 effective November 1, 2016 and further increased to C$280,000 effective March 1, 2017. Effective January 1, 2018, the Board approved an increase in Mr. Adams’ base salary to $241,792 per annum. After the Board completed a compensation assessment, effective April 1, 2018, Mr. Adams’ base salary was increased to $287,128 per annum and was again reviewed and increased to $290,906 effective July 1, 2019. Mr. Adams’ agreement also provides that he is eligible to be considered for an annual discretionary bonus which will be subject to the approval of the Board and the compensation committee of, in their sole discretion, on an annual basis in accordance with our annual performance and compensation review process. Furthermore, in accordance with the Adams Contract, equity compensation included for the issuance of 1,000,000 common shares upon execution of the Adams Contract and 2,000,000 stock options granted in accordance with our stock option plan. Additionally, other benefits included eligibility to participate in our insurance benefits plan, if any, and vacation entitlement of 30 days per calendar year.

Mr. Michael Woudenberg: We entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Woudenberg effective November 5, 2019 providing for compensation at an initial annual base salary of $204,012. Mr. Woudenberg’s agreement also provides that he is eligible to be considered for an annual discretionary bonus which will be subject to the approval of the Board and the compensation committee, in their sole discretion, on an annual basis in accordance with our annual performance and compensation review process. Furthermore, the employment agreement provides for an initial grant of 700,000 stock options granted in accordance with our stock option plan

 

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and which vest over 24 months (granted, see details in “Outstanding Option-Based and Share-Based Awards” table). Additionally, other benefits included eligibility to participate in our insurance benefits plan, if any, and vacation entitlement of 30 days per calendar year, which will be pro-rated for any period in which Mr. Woudenberg is not a full-time employee.

Dr. Eric Hsu: Effective March 8, 2018, we entered into an employment agreement with Dr. Eric Hsu providing for an initial base salary of $105,784 for 50% time commitment. After the Board completed a compensation assessment and after Dr. Hsu agreed to increase his time commitment to 80%, effective September 1, 2018, Dr. Hsu’s base salary was increased to $135,404 per annum for his 80% time commitment. Effective March 1, 2019, Dr. Hsu agreed to increase his time commitment to full-time (100%) at an increased base salary of $219,124 per annum. Dr. Hsu’s agreement also provides that he is eligible to be considered for an annual discretionary bonus which will be subject to the approval of the Board and the compensation committee, in their sole discretion, on an annual basis in accordance with our annual performance and compensation review process. Furthermore, in accordance with the Hsu Contract, equity compensation included an initial grant of 450,000 stock options granted in accordance with our stock option plan and which vest over 24 months (granted, see details in “Outstanding Option-Based and Share-Based Awards” table). Additionally, other benefits included eligibility to participate in our insurance benefits plan, if any, and vacation entitlement of 30 days per calendar year, which will be pro-rated for any period in which Dr. Hsu is not a full-time employee.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table presents information regarding outstanding equity awards held by our NEOs as of June 30, 2019.

 

 

  

Option Awards

 

 

Name

   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable
    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable
    Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)
     Option
Exercise
Price
(C$)
     Option
Expiration
Date
 

Eric A. Adams

     2,000,000 (1)      —         —        $ 0.08        5/16/2021  
     2,000,000 (2)      —         —        $ 0.11        6/15/2021  
     450,000 (3)      —         —        $ 0.45        6/2/2022  
     225,000 (4)      225,000 (4)      —        $ 1.55        3/8/2023  
     750,000 (5)      750,000 (5)      —        $ 1.02        5/16/2023  
     —         940,000 (6)      —        $ 0.435        5/27/2024  

Eric C. Hsu, PhD

     250,000 (7)      200,000 (7)      —        $ 1.55        3/8/2023  
     62,500 (5)      62,500 (5)      —        $ 1.02        5/16/2023  
     67,500 (8)      202,500 (8)      —        $ 0.82        8/31/2023  
     —         255,000 (9)      —        $ 1.02        5/16/2023  
     —         450,000 (6)      —        $ 0.435        5/27/2024  

Michael Woudenberg

     175,000 (10)      525,000 (10)      —        $ 0.445        12/5/2023  
     —         325,000 (6)      —        $ 0.435        5/27/2024  

 

1.

These options vested over the 18 month period following the May 16, 2016 grant date.

2.

1,000,000 of these options vested over the 12 month period following the June 15, 2016 grant date and 1,000,000 of these options vested on completion of a financing related milestone that was achieved on January 3, 2018.

3.

These options vest as to 25% after 6 months from the June 2, 2017 grant date, 25% after 12 months from the June 2, 2017 grant date, 25% after 18 months from the June 2, 2017 grant date and 25% after 24 months from the June 2, 2017 grant date.

 

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4.

These options vest as to 25% after 6 months from the March 8, 2018 grant date, 25% after 12 months from the March 8, 2018 grant date, 25% after 18 months from the March 8, 2018 grant date and 25% after 24 months from the March 8, 2018 grant date.

5.

These options vest as to 25% after 6 months from the May 16, 2018 grant date, 25% after 12 months from the May 16, 2018 grant date, 25% after 18 months from the May 16, 2018 grant date and 25% after 24 months from the May 16, 2018 grant date.

6.

These options vest as to 25% after 6 months from the May 27, 2019 grant date, 25% after 12 months from the May 27, 2019 grant date, 25% after 18 months from the May 27, 2019 grant date and 25% after 24 months from the May 27, 2019 grant date.

7.

50,000 of these options vest 60 days after the effective date of an employment agreement between us and Dr. Hsu. 100,000 vest 6 months after the effective date of an employment agreement between us and Dr. Hsu. 100,000 vest 12 months after the effective date of an employment agreement between us and Dr. Hsu. 100,000 vest 18 months after the effective date of an employment agreement between us and Dr. Hsu. and 100,000 vest 24 months after the effective date of an employment agreement between us and Dr. Hsu. Dr. Hsu signed an employment agreement with us having an effective date of March 8, 2018.

8.

These options vest as to 25% after 6 months from the August 31, 2018 grant date, 25% after 12 months from the August 31, 2018 grant date, 25% after 18 months from the August 31, 2018 grant date and 25% after 24 months from the August 31, 2018 grant date.

9.

These options vest as to 25% after 6 months from the March 4, 2019 grant date, 25% after 12 months from the March 4, 2019 grant date, 25% after 18 months from the March 4, 2019 grant date and 25% after 24 months from the March 4, 2019 grant date.

10.

These options vest as to 25% after 6 months from the December 5, 2018 grant date, 25% after 12 months from the December 5, 2018 grant date, 25% after 18 months from the December 5, 2018 grant date and 25% after 24 months from the December 5, 2018 grant date.

 

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NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

The following table provides information regarding the total compensation that was earned by or paid to each of our non-employee directors during fiscal year 2019. During fiscal year 2019, Eric A. Adams, our President and Chief Executive Officer, served as a member of our Board, as well as an employee, and received no additional compensation for his services as a member of our Board. See the section titled “Executive Compensation” for more information about Mr. Adams’ compensation for our fiscal year 2019. Directors may be reimbursed for travel and other expenses directly related to their activities as directors.

Director compensation is limited strictly to non-employee directors. Our director compensation philosophy is as follows:

 

   

To provide a compensation level that will attract exceptionally experienced and skilled candidates and encourage them to play an active role in our strategic development;

 

   

To compensate for work on the Board and work on the committees of the Board; and

 

   

To provide share-based compensation to align director compensation with increases in long-term shareholder value.

Share-Based Compensation

New directors will be granted stock options to purchase 100,000 common shares, priced at the closing price on the grant date, vesting monthly over a three-year period and expiring five years after the grant date. On an annual basis and, subject to any trading blackout restrictions, immediately after election of directors at each Annual General Meeting, each non-management director is granted stock options to purchase 35,000 common shares, priced as of the close of market on the date of our AGM, vesting 100% on the one year anniversary of the grant date or immediately prior the following year’s AGM, whichever is sooner, and expiring five years after date of grant. Unless otherwise approved by the Board, any options that are unvested at the date of retirement or resignation of a director will be forfeited effective that date.

Annual Cash Retainers

Each non-employee director received an annual retainer of $25,000 per year paid quarterly in arrears. Additionally, the Chair of the Board receives an additional $25,000 per year paid quarterly in arrears.

For committee participation, directors are eligible to receive up to an additional $15,000 per year paid quarterly in arrears, assuming a minimum of two committee memberships. There are no incremental fees for chairing a committee.

There were no other compensation elements for directors such as meeting fees, per diems, etc. If a Director traveled on behalf of our company, they are reimbursed for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

The following table sets forth the total compensation for our non-employee directors for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019.

 

Name    Fees
earned
($)
     Share-
based
awards
($)
     Option-based
awards ($)(1)
     Non-equity incentive
plan compensation
($)
     Pension
value
($)
     All other
compensation
($)
     Total
compensation
($)
 
                          Annual
incentive
plans

 

     Long-
term
incentive
plans

 

                      

William J. Garner

     65,000        —          9,150        —          —          —          —          74,150  

Martin Bott

     40,000        —          9,150        —          —          —          —          49,150  

Adam Cutler

     40,000        —          9,150        —          —          —          —          49,150  

Andrew Hull

     40,000        —          9,150        —          —          —          —          49,150  

 

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The following table sets forth the total compensation for our non-employee directors for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019.

 

1.

The amounts reported represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the stock options awarded to the non-employee directors in the fiscal year 2019, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Such grant date fair values do not take into account any estimated forfeitures. The assumptions used in calculating the grant date fair value of the stock options reported in this column are set forth in note 7 of our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The amounts reported in this column reflect the accounting cost for these stock options and do not correspond to the actual economic value that may be received by the non-employee directors upon the exercise of the stock options or any sale of the underlying common shares.

Pension and Other Retirement Benefits

We do not have a defined benefit plan, a deferred contribution plan, a deferred compensation plan or a pension plan.

Termination and Change of Control Benefits

We have not provided compensation, monetary or otherwise, during the most recently completed financial year June 30, 2019, to any person who now or previously has acted as an “named executive officer” of the company, in connection with or related to the retirement, termination or resignation of such person, and we have provided no compensation to any such person as a result of a change of control of the company. In the case of resignation, retirement or termination of employment with cause, every Named Executive Officer contract provides there will be no severance payment made. However, the NEOs would be entitled to any vacation due.

We have employment agreements with our NEOs which include termination and change of control provisions as described herein below. The change of control provisions recognize the critical nature of these positions and the individuals involved and the requirement to protect the individuals from disruption to their engagement in the event of a change of control of the company. The change of control provisions are designed to treat the individuals in a manner consistent with industry standards for executives in similar positions.

For the purposes of the employment agreements with the NEOs, “Change in Control” is defined as (i) the sale of all or substantially all of our assets to an unrelated person or entity; (ii) a merger, reorganization, or consolidation involving the company in which the common shares outstanding immediately prior to the transaction represent or are converted into or exchanged for securities of the surviving or resulting entity that immediately upon completion of the transaction, represents 51% or less of the outstanding voting power of the surviving or resulting entity; (iii) the acquisition of all or a majority of our outstanding voting shares in a single transaction or a series of related transactions by a person or group of persons; or (iv) any other acquisition of our business, as determined by the Board (but any public offering by our company or another capital raising event, or a merger effected solely to change our domicile does not constitute a Change of Control).

For the purposes of the employment agreements with the NEOs and in the context of a Change of Control, “Good Reason” is defined as the occurrence of any of the following events without the prior written consent of the named executive officer: (i) a change in the named executive officer’s position which materially reduces the named executive officer’s responsibilities from the responsibilities in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control; (ii) a reduction by us of the named executive officer’s base salary or target bonus percentage, except for an across-the-board salary reduction affecting all of our senior executives; or (iii) a relocation of the named executive officer’s principal place of employment by more than 30 kilometers.

The employment agreements with the NEOs provide that if, following a Change of Control, we terminate the named executive officer’s employment with us without cause or the named executive officer resigns from his/her employment with us for Good Reason, then the “named executive officer” will be entitled to a Change in Control Severance Amount.

 

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The actual amounts that a named executive officer would receive upon termination of employment can only be determined at the time of termination and is based on the number of months of base salary at that time. The following table provides a description of the severance requirements and the estimated corresponding value that the NEOs that were employed by us at the end of the financial year would have received if the termination had occurred on June 30, 2019:

 

    

Termination without cause (1)

  

Change of Control (1)

Eric A. Adams

President and CEO

Director

   24 month’s salary plus “average bonus payment”    24 month’s salary plus “average bonus payment”

Michael Woudenberg

VP, Chemistry, Manufacturing & Controls

   6 month’s salary plus “average bonus payment”    12 month’s salary plus “average bonus payment”

Eric Hsu

Senior Vice President of Preclinical Research and Development

   4 month’s salary plus “average bonus payment”    12 month’s salary plus “average bonus payment”

 

(1)

“average bonus payment” is equal to the average of the actual bonus payments, if any, made to the NEO from the previous 3 years preceding the date of termination, pro-rated for the then current year up to and including the date of termination.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Except compensation arrangements for our directors and executive officers, which are described elsewhere in this prospectus, there have been no related party transactions in our two most recently completed financial years that required disclosure under any applicable Canadian or U.S. securities laws.

Indemnification Agreements

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains provisions limiting the liability of directors, and our amended and restated bylaws provide that we will indemnify each of our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted under law. In addition, we have entered into an indemnification agreement with each of our directors and our Chief Financial Officer, which requires us to indemnify them.

Policies and Procedures for Transactions with Related Persons

Prior to completion of this offering, we intend to adopt a written policy that our executive officers, directors, nominees for election as a director, beneficial owners of more than 5% of any class of our common shares and any members of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons are not permitted to enter into a related person transaction with us without the approval or ratification of our Board or our audit committee. Any request for us to enter into a transaction with an executive officer, director, nominee for election as a director, beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our common shares, or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons, in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and such person would have a direct or indirect interest, must be presented to our Board or our audit committee for review, consideration and approval. In approving or rejecting any such proposal, our Board or our audit committee is to consider the material facts of the transaction, including whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction.

 

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PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

The table below sets forth information known to us regarding the beneficial ownership of our common shares as of June     , 2020 for:

 

   

each person we believe beneficially holds more than 5% of our outstanding common shares;

 

   

each of our directors and NEOs; and

 

   

all our directors and executive officers as a group.

The number of common shares beneficially owned by a person includes shares subject to options held by that person that are currently exercisable or that become exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2020. Percentage calculations assume, for each person and group, that all common shares that may be acquired by such person or group pursuant to options currently exercisable or that become exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2020 are outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of common shares owned by such person or group. However, such unissued common shares described above are not deemed to be outstanding for calculating the percentage of common shares owned by any other person.

Except as otherwise indicated, the persons in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all common shares shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws where applicable. We do not know of any arrangement, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of us.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner    Number of Common
Shares Beneficially Owned
     Percentage
of
Common
Shares
Beneficially
Owned (%)
 

Five Percent Shareholders:

     

N/A

     N/A        N/A  

NEOs and Directors:

     

Eric A. Adams, MIBS (1)

     8,118,807        4.4

Adam Cutler (2)

     1,035,000        *  

William J. Garner, MD (3)

     835,000        *  

Andrew Hull (4)

     1,660,000        *  

Catherine Sazdanoff, JD (5)

     27,798        *  

Michael Woudenberg (6)

     705,000        *  

All other executive officers as a group (7)

     3,597,000        *  

All executive officers and directors as a group (9 persons)

     15,978,605        8.6

 

*

Less than 1%

(1)

Eric A. Adams’ beneficial ownership consists of 530,725 common shares and 225,225 warrants owned directly, 6,870,000 common shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable options, and 492,857 common shares owned by his spouse. Mr. Adams disclaims beneficial ownership in the 492,857 common shares held by his spouse;

(2)

Adam Cutler’s beneficial ownership consists of 1,035,000 common shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable options;

(3)

William J. Garner’s beneficial ownership consists of 835,000 common shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable options;

(4)

Andrew Hull’s beneficial ownership consists of 625,000 common shares owned directly and 1,035,000 common shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable options;

(5)

Catherine Sazdanoff’s beneficial ownership consists of 27,798 common shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable options;

 

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(6)

Michael Woudenberg’s beneficial ownership consists of 17,500 common shares owned directly and 687,500 common shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable options;

(7)

The beneficial ownership of all other executive officers as a group consists of 292,000 common shares owned directly and 3,305,000 common shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable options.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

General

Our authorized share capital consists of an unlimited number of common shares without par value and an unlimited number of preferred shares without par value. As at March 31, 2020, we had 172,283,633 common shares issued and outstanding and no preferred shares issued and outstanding. As at the date of this registration statement, we had 172,283,633 common shares issued and outstanding and no preferred shares issued and outstanding.

The description of our securities contained herein is a summary only and may be exclusive of certain information that may be important to you. For more complete information, you should read our Amended and Restated Articles (the “Articles”), which have been filed with the SEC as an exhibit to this registration statement.

Common Shares

Each common share entitles the holder thereof to one vote at all meetings of shareholders.

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, whether voluntary or involuntary, or other distribution of our assets among shareholders for the purpose of winding up our affairs, subject to the rights, privileges and restrictions attaching to our securities, the shareholders shall be entitled to receive our remaining property. In the event of an insufficiency of property and assets to pay in full the amounts which the shareholders are entitled to receive upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the shareholders shall participate ratably among themselves in accordance with the amounts to which they are respectively entitled upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding-up.

The shareholders are entitled to receive dividends, as and when declared by our Board, subject to the rights, privileges and restrictions attaching to our securities, which may be paid in money, property or by the issue of fully paid shares in our capital.

However, we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends for the foreseeable future, and instead intend to retain future earnings, if any, for use in the operation and expansion of our business.

Certain Takeover Bid Requirements

Unless such offer constitutes an exempt transaction, an offer made by a person to acquire outstanding shares of a Canadian entity that, when aggregated with the offeror’s holdings (and those of persons or companies acting jointly with the offeror), would constitute 20% or more of the outstanding shares, would be subject to the take-over provisions of Canadian securities laws. The foregoing is a limited and general summary of certain aspects of applicable securities law in the provinces and territories of Canada, all in effect as of the date hereof.

In addition to the take-over bid requirements noted above, the acquisition of shares may trigger the application of additional statutory regimes including amongst others, the Investment Canada Act and the Competition Act.

This summary is not a comprehensive description of relevant or applicable considerations regarding such requirements and, accordingly, is not intended to be, and should not be interpreted as, legal advice to any prospective purchaser and no representation with respect to such requirements to any prospective purchaser is made. Prospective investors should consult their own Canadian legal advisors with respect to any questions regarding securities law in the provinces and territories of Canada.

 

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Actions Requiring a Special Majority

Under the BCBCA, unless otherwise stated in the Articles, certain corporate actions require the approval of a special majority of shareholders, meaning holders of shares representing 66 2/3% of those votes cast in respect of a shareholder vote addressing such matter. Those items requiring the approval of a special majority generally relate to fundamental changes with respect to our business, and include amongst others, resolutions: (i) removing a director prior to the expiry of his or her term; (ii) altering the Articles, (iii) approving an amalgamation; (iv) approving a plan of arrangement; and (v) providing for a sale of all or substantially all of our assets.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common shares is Computershare Investor Services Inc., 100 University Avenue, 9th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J 2Y1.

Reports to Shareholders

We intend to comply with the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. We plan to furnish our shareholders with an annual report for each fiscal year beginning for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 containing financial statements audited by our independent registered public accounting firm. The SEC maintains an Internet site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

Market Price of and Dividends on the Our Common Shares

Our common shares are quoted under the symbol “IMLFF” on the OTCQX® Best Markets, and under the symbol “IN” on the TSX. OTCQX® quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions. We will apply to have our common shares approved for listing on Nasdaq under the symbol “INM” and assuming as successful approval, we will cease trading on the OTCQX®. There is no assurance that our common shares will be approved for trading on Nasdaq or that we will continue to trade on the TSX, or that any liquidity for our shareholders will exist.

While there are no restrictions on the payment of dividends, we have never declared nor paid any cash dividends on our common shares, and we presently have no intention of paying any cash dividend in the foreseeable future. Our current policy is to retain earnings, if any, to finance the expansion of our business. The future payment of dividends will depend on our results of operations, financial condition, capital expenditure plans and other factors that we deem relevant and will be at the sole discretion of our Board.

Holders

As of June, 2020, there were      holders of record of our issued and outstanding common shares.

 

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MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

In the opinion of Dorsey & Whitney LLP, the following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to a U.S. Holder (as defined below) arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the common shares acquired pursuant to this prospectus.

This summary is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations that may apply to a U.S. Holder as a result of the acquisition of common shares pursuant to this offering. In addition, this summary does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular U.S. Holder that may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such U.S. Holder, including specific tax consequences to a U.S. Holder under an applicable tax treaty. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or U.S. federal income tax advice with respect to any particular U.S. Holder. This summary does not address the U.S. federal net investment income, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences to U.S. Holders of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares. In addition, except as specifically set forth below, this summary does not discuss applicable tax reporting requirements. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. federal net investment income, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares.

No ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has been requested, or will be obtained, regarding the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to U.S. Holders as discussed in this summary. This summary is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS is not precluded from taking a position that is different from, and contrary to, the positions taken in this summary. In addition, because the authorities on which this summary is based are subject to various interpretations, the IRS and the U.S. courts could disagree with one or more of the positions taken in this summary.

Scope of this Summary

Authorities

This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations (whether final, temporary, or proposed) promulgated under the Code, published rulings of the IRS, published administrative positions of the IRS, and U.S. court decisions, that are in effect and available as of the date of this document. Any of the authorities on which this summary is based could be changed in a material and adverse manner at any time, and any such change could be applied retroactively. This summary does not discuss the potential effects, whether adverse or beneficial, of any proposed legislation that, if enacted, could be applied on a retroactive or prospective basis.

U.S. Holders

For purposes of this summary, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of common shares acquired pursuant to this prospectus that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

a citizen or individual resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and the control of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

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U.S. Holders Subject to Special U.S. Federal Income Tax Rules Not Addressed

This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including U.S. Holders that: (a) are tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, or other tax-deferred accounts; (b) are financial institutions, underwriters, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, or regulated investment companies; (c) are brokers or dealers in securities or currencies or U.S. Holders that are traders in securities that elect to apply a mark-to-market accounting method; (d) have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar; (e) own common shares as part of a straddle, hedging transaction, conversion transaction, constructive sale, or other integrated transaction; (f) acquired common shares in connection with the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services; (g) hold common shares other than as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (property held for investment purposes); (h) are partnerships and other pass-through entities (and investors in such partnerships and entities); (i) are subject to special tax accounting rules with respect to common shares; (j) own, have owned or will own (directly, indirectly, or by attribution) 10% or more of the total combined voting power or value of our outstanding shares; (k) are U.S. expatriates or former long-term residents of the U.S.; or (l) are subject to taxing jurisdictions other than, or in addition to, the United States. U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including U.S. Holders described immediately above, should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. federal net investment income, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares.

If an entity or arrangement that is classified as a partnership (or other pass-through entity) for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds common shares, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such entity or arrangement and the owners of such entity or arrangement will depend on the activities of such entity or arrangement and the status of such partners (or other owners). This summary does not address the tax consequences to any such entity or arrangement or partner (or other owner). Partners (or other owners) of entities or arrangements that are classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes should consult their own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares.

Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules

If we are considered a “passive foreign investment company” within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code at any time during a U.S. Holder’s holding period, the following sections will provide a summary of the potentially adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares.

We believe that we were classified as a PFIC for our tax year ended June 30, 2019, and based on the nature of our business and the projected composition of our gross income, we expect that we may be a PFIC for the tax year ending June 30, 2020 and may be a PFIC in future tax years. No opinion of Dorsey & Whitney LLP or other legal counsel or ruling from the IRS concerning our status as a PFIC has been obtained or is currently planned to be requested. The determination of whether any corporation was, or will be, a PFIC for a tax year depends, in part, on the application of complex U.S. federal income tax rules, which are subject to differing interpretations. In addition, whether any corporation will be a PFIC for any tax year depends on the assets and income of such corporation over the course of each such tax year and, as a result, our PFIC status for the current year and future years cannot be predicted with certainty as of the date of this document. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge any PFIC determination made by us. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding our status as a PFIC and the PFIC status of each of our non-U.S. subsidiaries.

In any year in which we are classified as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder will be required to file an annual report with the IRS containing such information as Treasury Regulations and/or other IRS guidance may require. In addition to penalties, a failure to satisfy such reporting requirements may result in an extension of the time period

 

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during which the IRS can assess a tax. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the requirements of filing such information returns under these rules, including the requirement to file an IRS Form 8621 annually.

We will be a PFIC for any tax year in which (a) 75% or more of our gross income for such tax year is passive income (the “PFIC income test”) or (b) 50% or more of the value of our assets either produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income, based on the quarterly average of the fair market value of such assets (the “PFIC asset test”). “Gross income” includes, among other items, sales revenues less the cost of goods sold, plus income from investments and from incidental or outside operations or sources, and “passive income” includes, for example, dividends, interest, specified rents and royalties, some gains from the sale of stock and securities, and specified types of gains from commodities transactions.

For purposes of the PFIC income test and PFIC asset test described above, if we own, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the total value of the outstanding shares of another corporation, we will be treated as if we (a) held a proportionate share of the assets of such other corporation and (b) received directly a proportionate share of the income of such other corporation. In addition, for purposes of the PFIC income test and PFIC asset test described above, “passive income” does not include any interest, dividends, rents, or royalties that are received or accrued by us from related persons (as defined for this purpose), to the extent such items are properly allocable to the income of such related person that is not passive income.

Under applicable attribution rules, if we are a PFIC, U.S. Holders will be deemed to own their proportionate share of any of our subsidiaries which is also a PFIC (a “Subsidiary PFIC”), and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax under the “Default PFIC Rules Under Section 1291 of the Code” discussed below on their proportionate share of any (i) distribution on the shares of a Subsidiary PFIC and (ii) disposition or deemed disposition of shares of a Subsidiary PFIC, both as if such U.S. Holders directly held the shares of such Subsidiary PFIC. Accordingly, U.S. Holders should be aware that they could be subject to tax under the PFIC rules even if no distributions are received and no redemptions or other dispositions of common shares are made. In addition, U.S. Holders may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any indirect gain realized on the stock of a Subsidiary PFIC on the sale or disposition of common shares.

Default PFIC Rules Under Section 1291 of the Code

If we are a PFIC, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder of the purchase of common shares and the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares will depend on whether such U.S. Holder makes a “qualified electing fund” or “QEF” election under Section 1295 of the Code (a “QEF Election”) or makes a mark-to-market election under Section 1296 of the Code (a “Mark-to-Market Election”) with respect to common shares. A U.S. Holder that does not make either a QEF Election or a Mark-to-Market Election (a “Non-Electing U.S. Holder”) will be taxable as described below.

A Non-Electing U.S. Holder will be subject to the rules of Section 1291 of the Code with respect to (a) any gain recognized on the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares and (b) any excess distribution received on the common shares. A distribution will be an “excess distribution” to the extent that such distribution (together with all other distributions received in the current tax year) exceeds 125% of the average distributions received during the three preceding tax years (or during a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common shares, if shorter).

Under Section 1291 of the Code, any gain recognized on the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares of a PFIC (including an indirect disposition of shares of a Subsidiary PFIC), and any excess distribution received on such common shares (or a distribution by a Subsidiary PFIC to its shareholder that is deemed to be received by a U.S. Holder) must be ratably allocated to each day in a Non-Electing U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common shares. The amount of any such gain or excess distribution allocated to the tax year of disposition or distribution of the excess distribution and to years before the entity became a PFIC, if any,

 

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would be taxed as ordinary income (and not eligible for preferential tax rates, as discussed below). The amounts allocated to any other tax year would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the highest tax rate applicable to ordinary income in each such year, and an interest charge would be imposed on the tax liability for each such year, calculated as if such tax liability had been due in each such year. A Non-Electing U.S. Holder that is not a corporation must treat any such interest paid as “personal interest,” which is not deductible.

If we are a PFIC for any tax year during which a Non-Electing U.S. Holder holds common shares, we will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to such Non-Electing U.S. Holder, regardless of whether we cease to be a PFIC in one or more subsequent tax years. If we cease to be a PFIC, a Non-Electing U.S. Holder may terminate this deemed PFIC status with respect to common shares by electing to recognize gain (which will be taxed under the rules of Section 1291 of the Code, as discussed above) as if such common shares were sold on the last day of the last tax year for which we were a PFIC.

QEF Election

A U.S. Holder that makes a QEF Election for the first tax year in which its holding period of its common shares begins will not be subject to the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above with respect to its common shares. However, a U.S. Holder that makes a QEF Election will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such U.S. Holder’s pro rata share of (a) our net capital gain, which will be taxed as long-term capital gain to such U.S. Holder, and (b) our ordinary earnings, which will be taxed as ordinary income to such U.S. Holder. “Net capital gain” is the excess of (a) net long-term capital gain over (b) net short-term capital loss, and “ordinary earnings” are the excess of (a) “earnings and profits” over (b) net capital gain. A U.S. Holder that makes a QEF Election will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such amounts for each tax year in which we are a PFIC, regardless of whether such amounts are actually distributed to such U.S. Holder by us. However, for any tax year in which we are a PFIC and have no net income or gain, U.S. Holders that have made a QEF Election would not have any income inclusions as a result of the QEF Election. If a U.S. Holder that made a QEF Election has an income inclusion, such a U.S. Holder may, subject to limitations, elect to defer payment of current U.S. federal income tax on such amounts, subject to an interest charge. If such U.S. Holder is not a corporation, any such interest paid will be treated as “personal interest,” which is not deductible.

A U.S. Holder that makes a timely QEF Election (a) may receive a tax-free distribution from us to the extent that such distribution represents “earnings and profits” that were previously included in income by the U.S. Holder because of such QEF Election and (b) will adjust such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the common shares to reflect the amount included in income or allowed as a tax-free distribution because of such QEF Election. In addition, a U.S. Holder that makes a QEF Election will recognize capital gain or loss on the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares.

The procedure for making a QEF Election, and the U.S. federal income tax consequences of making a QEF Election, will depend on whether such QEF Election is timely. A QEF Election will be treated as “timely” for purposes of avoiding the default PFIC rules discussed above if such QEF Election is made for the first year in the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common shares in which we were a PFIC. A U.S. Holder may make a timely QEF Election by filing the appropriate QEF Election documents at the time such U.S. Holder files a U.S. federal income tax return for such year. If a U.S. Holder owns PFIC stock indirectly through another PFIC, separate QEF Elections must be made for the PFIC in which the U.S. Holder is a direct shareholder and the Subsidiary PFIC for the QEF rules to apply to both PFICs.

A QEF Election will apply to the tax year for which such QEF Election is made and to all subsequent tax years, unless such QEF Election is invalidated or terminated or the IRS consents to revocation of such QEF Election. If a U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election and, in a subsequent tax year, we cease to be a PFIC, the QEF Election will remain in effect (although it will not be applicable) during those tax years in which we are not a PFIC. Accordingly, if we become a PFIC in another subsequent tax year, the QEF Election will be effective and the U.S. Holder will be subject to the QEF rules described above during any subsequent tax year in which we qualify as a PFIC.

 

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For each tax year that we qualify as a PFIC, we: (a) intend to make available to U.S. Holders, upon their written request, a PFIC Annual Information Statement as described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.1295-1(g) (or any successor Treasury Regulation) and (b) upon written request, use commercially reasonable efforts to provide such additional information that such U.S. Holder is reasonably required to obtain in connection with maintaining such QEF Election with regard to us. We may elect to provide such information on our website. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the availability of, and procedure for making, a QEF Election.

A U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621, including a PFIC Annual Information Statement, to a timely filed U.S. federal income tax return. However, if we do not provide the required information with regard to us or any of our Subsidiary PFICs, U.S. Holders will not be able to make a QEF Election for such entity and will continue to be subject to the rules of Section 1291 of the Code, discussed above, that apply to Non-Electing U.S. Holders with respect to the taxation of gains and excess distributions.

Mark-to-Market Election

A U.S. Holder may make a Mark-to-Market Election with respect to common shares only if the common shares are marketable stock. The common shares will be “marketable stock” if the common shares are regularly traded on (a) a national securities exchange that is registered with the SEC, (b) the national market system established pursuant to Section 11A of the Exchange Act or (c) a foreign securities exchange that is regulated or supervised by a governmental authority of the country in which the market is located, provided that (i) such foreign exchange has trading volume, listing, financial disclosure, and other requirements and the laws of the country in which such foreign exchange is located, together with the rules of such foreign exchange, ensure that such requirements are actually enforced and (ii) the rules of such foreign exchange ensure active trading of listed stocks. If such stock is traded on such a qualified exchange or other market, such stock will be considered “regularly traded” for any calendar year during which such stock is traded, other than in de minimis quantities, on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter. Provided that the common shares are “regularly traded” as described in the preceding sentence, the common shares are expected to be marketable stock. There can be no assurance that the common shares will be “regularly traded” in the current or any subsequent calendar quarters. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the marketable stock rules.

A U.S. Holder that makes a Mark-to-Market Election with respect to its common shares generally will not be subject to the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above with respect to such common shares. However, if a U.S. Holder does not make a Mark-to-Market Election beginning in the first tax year of such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common shares and such U.S. Holder has not made a timely QEF Election, the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above will apply to specified dispositions of, and distributions on, the common shares.

A U.S. Holder that makes a Mark-to-Market Election will include in ordinary income, for each tax year in which we are a PFIC, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of the common shares, as of the close of such tax year over (b) such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the common shares. A U.S. Holder that makes a Mark-to-Market Election will be allowed a deduction in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common shares, over (ii) the fair market value of such common shares (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income (as reduced by the amounts previously allowed as deductions) as a result of the Mark-to-Market Election for prior tax years).

A U.S. Holder that makes a Mark-to-Market Election also will adjust such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the common shares to reflect the amount included in gross income or allowed as a deduction because of such Mark-to-Market Election. In addition, upon a sale or other taxable disposition of common shares, a U.S. Holder that makes a Mark-to-Market Election will recognize ordinary income or ordinary loss (not to exceed the excess, if any, of (a) the amount included in ordinary income because of such Mark-to-Market Election for prior tax years over (b) the amount allowed as a deduction because of such Mark-to-Market Election for prior tax years).

 

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A U.S. Holder makes a Mark-to-Market Election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621 to a timely filed U.S. federal income tax return. A timely Mark-to-Market Election applies to the tax year in which such Mark-to-Market Election is made and to each subsequent tax year, unless the common shares cease to be “marketable stock” or the IRS consents to revocation of such election. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the availability of, and procedure for making, a Mark-to-Market Election.

Although a U.S. Holder may be eligible to make a Mark-to-Market Election with respect to the common shares, no such election may be made with respect to the stock of any Subsidiary PFIC that a U.S. Holder is treated as owning because such stock is not marketable. Hence, the Mark-to-Market Election will not be effective to eliminate the interest charge and other income inclusion rules described above with respect to deemed dispositions of Subsidiary PFIC stock or distributions from a Subsidiary PFIC to its shareholder.

Other PFIC Rules

Under Section 1291(f) of the Code, the IRS has issued proposed Treasury Regulations that, subject to some exceptions, would cause a U.S. Holder that has not made a timely QEF Election to recognize gain (but not loss) upon transfers of common shares that would otherwise be tax-deferred (e.g., gifts and exchanges pursuant to corporate reorganizations). However, the specific U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder may vary based on the manner in which common shares are transferred.

If finalized in their current form, the proposed Treasury Regulations applicable to PFICs would be effective for transactions occurring on or after April 1, 1992. Because the proposed Treasury Regulations have not yet been adopted in final form, they are not currently effective, and there is no assurance that they will be adopted in the form and with the effective date proposed. Nevertheless, the IRS has announced that, in the absence of final Treasury Regulations, taxpayers may apply reasonable interpretations of the Code provisions applicable to PFICs and that it considers the rules set forth in the proposed Treasury Regulations to be reasonable interpretations of those Code provisions. The PFIC rules are complex, and the implementation of aspects of the PFIC rules requires the issuance of Treasury Regulations which in many instances have not been promulgated and which, when promulgated, may have retroactive effect. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors about the potential applicability of the proposed Treasury Regulations.

Additional adverse rules will apply with respect to a U.S. Holder if we are a PFIC, regardless of whether such U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election. For example under Section 1298(b)(6) of the Code, a U.S. Holder that uses common shares as security for a loan will, except as may be provided in Treasury Regulations, be treated as having made a taxable disposition of such common shares.

In addition, a U.S. Holder who acquires common shares from a decedent will not receive a “step up” in tax basis of such common shares to fair market value.

Special rules also apply to the amount of foreign tax credit that a U.S. Holder may claim on a distribution from a PFIC. Subject to such special rules, foreign taxes paid with respect to any distribution in respect of stock in a PFIC are eligible for the foreign tax credit. The rules relating to distributions by a PFIC and their eligibility for the foreign tax credit are complicated, and a U.S. Holder should consult with their own tax advisor regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit with respect to distributions by a PFIC.

The PFIC rules are complex, and each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the PFIC rules (including the applicability and advisability of a QEF Election and Mark-to-Market Election) and how the PFIC rules may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares.

 

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Rules Applicable to U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Acquisition, Ownership, and Disposition of Common Shares

The following discussion describes the rules applicable to the ownership and disposition of the common shares but is subject in its entirety to the special rules described above under the heading “Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”

Distributions on Common Shares

A U.S. Holder that receives a distribution, including a constructive distribution, with respect to a common share will be required to include the amount of such distribution in gross income as a dividend (without reduction for any Canadian income tax withheld from such distribution) to the extent of our current and accumulated “earnings and profits”, as computed under U.S. federal income tax principles. A dividend will be taxed to a U.S. Holder at ordinary income tax rates if we are a PFIC for the tax year of such distribution or the preceding tax year. To the extent that a distribution exceeds our current and accumulated “earnings and profits”, such distribution will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the common shares and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of such common shares (see “Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares” below). However, we may not maintain the calculations of earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles, and each U.S. Holder may be required to assume that any distribution by us with respect to the common shares will constitute ordinary dividend income. Dividends received on common shares should not be eligible for the “dividends received deduction” applicable to corporations. Subject to applicable limitations and provided we are eligible for the benefits of the Convention Between Canada and the United States of America with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital, signed September 26, 1980, as amended, or the common shares are readily tradable on a United States securities market, dividends paid by us to non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individuals, should be eligible for the preferential tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains for dividends, provided applicable holding period and other conditions are satisfied, including that we are not classified as a PFIC in the tax year of distribution or in the preceding tax year. The dividend rules are complex, and each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the application of such rules.

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares

Upon the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares, a U.S. Holder will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between (a) the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received and (b) such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such common shares sold or otherwise disposed of. Gain or loss recognized on such sale or other taxable disposition will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the sale or other taxable disposition, the common shares have been held for more than one year. Preferential tax rates may apply to long-term capital gain of a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate, or trust. There are no preferential tax rates for long-term capital gain of a U.S. Holder that is a corporation. Deductions for capital losses are subject to significant limitations under the Code.

Additional Income Tax Considerations

Receipt of Foreign Currency

The amount of any distribution paid to a U.S. Holder in foreign currency or on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of common shares will be equal to the U.S. dollar value of such foreign currency based on the exchange rate applicable on the date of receipt (regardless of whether such foreign currency is converted into U.S. dollars at that time). If the foreign currency received is not converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder will have a tax basis in the foreign currency equal to its U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. Any U.S. Holder who receives payment in foreign currency and engages in a subsequent conversion or other disposition of the foreign currency may have a foreign currency exchange gain or loss that would be treated as ordinary income or loss, and will be U.S. source income or loss for foreign tax credit purposes. Different rules

 

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apply to U.S. Holders who use the accrual method of tax accounting. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own U.S. tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of receiving, owning, and disposing of foreign currency.

Foreign Tax Credit

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed above, a U.S. Holder that pays (whether directly or through withholding) Canadian income tax with respect to dividends paid on the common shares should be entitled, at the election of such U.S. Holder, to receive either a deduction or a credit for such Canadian income tax paid. A credit will reduce a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability on a dollar-for-dollar basis, whereas a deduction will reduce a U.S. Holder’s income subject to U.S. federal income tax. This election is made on a year-by-year basis and applies to all foreign taxes paid or accrued (whether directly or through withholding) by a U.S. Holder during a year. The foreign tax credit rules are complex and involve the application of rules that depend on a U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances. Accordingly, each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the foreign tax credit rules.

Information Reporting; Backup Withholding Tax

Under U.S. federal income tax laws specified categories of U.S. Holders must file information returns with respect to their investment in, or involvement in, a foreign corporation. For example, U.S. return disclosure obligations (and related penalties) are imposed on U.S. Holders that hold specified types of foreign financial assets in excess of established threshold amounts. The definition of specified foreign financial assets includes not only financial accounts maintained in foreign financial institutions, but also, unless held in accounts maintained by a financial institution, any stock or security issued by a non-U.S. person. U.S. Holders may be subject to these reporting requirements unless their common shares are held in an account at certain financial institutions. Penalties for failure to file these information returns are substantial. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the requirements of filing information returns, including the requirement to file IRS Form 8938.

Payments made within the U.S., or by a U.S. payor or U.S. middleman, of dividends on, and proceeds arising from the sale or other taxable disposition of the common shares may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding tax, currently at the rate of 24%, if a U.S. Holder (a) fails to furnish its correct U.S. taxpayer identification number (generally on Form W-9), (b) furnishes an incorrect U.S. taxpayer identification number, (c) is notified by the IRS that such U.S. Holder has previously failed to properly report items subject to backup withholding tax, or (d) fails to certify, under penalty of perjury, that it has furnished its correct U.S. taxpayer identification number and that the IRS has not notified such U.S. Holder that it is subject to backup withholding tax. However, specified exempt persons, such as U.S. Holders that are corporations, are excluded from these information reporting and backup withholding tax rules. Any amounts withheld under the U.S. backup withholding tax rules will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, or will be refunded, if such U.S. Holder furnishes required information to the IRS in a timely manner.

The discussion of reporting requirements set forth above is not intended to constitute a complete description of all reporting requirements that may apply to a U.S. Holder. A failure to satisfy reporting requirements may, in some circumstances result in an extension of the time period during which the IRS can assess a tax and, under some circumstances, such an extension may apply to assessments of amounts unrelated to any unsatisfied reporting requirement. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the information reporting and backup withholding rules.

THE ABOVE SUMMARY IS NOT INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OF ALL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS APPLICABLE TO U.S. HOLDERS WITH RESPECT TO THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP, AND DISPOSITION OF COMMON SHARES. U.S. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS APPLICABLE TO THEM IN THEIR OWN PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

 

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UNDERWRITING

We have entered into an underwriting agreement with Roth Capital Partners, LLC with respect to the common shares subject to this offering. Subject to certain conditions, we have agreed to sell to the underwriter, and the underwriter has agreed to purchase, the following number of common shares.

 

Underwriter

   Number of
Common
Shares
 

Roth Capital Partners, LLC

                   
  

 

 

 

The underwriter is offering the common shares subject to their acceptance of the common shares from us and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriter to pay for and accept delivery of the common shares offered by this prospectus is subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain other conditions. The underwriter is obligated to take and pay for all of the common shares if any such securities are taken. However, the underwriter is not required to take or pay for the common shares covered by the underwriter’s over-allotment option described below.

Over-Allotment Option

We have granted the underwriter an option, exercisable for 45 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an aggregate of     common shares (equal to 15% of the number of common shares sold in this offering) to cover over-allotments, if any, at the public offering price per share set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, less the underwriting discount. The underwriter may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, made in connection with the offering of the common shares offered by this prospectus. If the underwriter exercise this option, the underwriter will be obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase a number of additional shares for which the option has been exercised.

Discount, Commissions and Expenses

The underwriter has advised us that they propose to offer the common shares to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to certain dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $             per common share. After this offering, the public offering price and concession to dealers may be changed by the underwriter. No such change will change the amount of proceeds to be received by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. The common shares are offered by the underwriter as stated herein, subject to receipt and acceptance by them and subject to their right to reject any order in whole or in part. The underwriter has informed us that they do not intend to confirm sales to any accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.

The following table shows the underwriting discount payable to the underwriter by us in connection with this offering. Such amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option to purchase additional common shares.

 

     Per
share
     Total Without
Exercise of
Over-
Allotment
Option
     Total With
Exercise of
Over-
Allotment
Option
 

Public offering price

   $            $            $        

Underwriting discount (8.0%)

   $            $            $        

We have agreed to reimburse the underwriter for certain out-of-pocket expenses, including the fees and disbursements of their counsel, up to an aggregate of $75,000. We estimate that the total expenses payable by us in connection with this offering, other than the underwriting discount referred to above, will be approximately $        .

 

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Indemnification

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriter against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and liabilities arising from breaches of representations and warranties contained in the underwriting agreement, or to contribute to payments that the underwriter may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

Lock-Up Agreements

We and our officers and directors have agreed, and any affiliates of such officers and directors subject to limited exceptions, for a period of 90 days after the date of the underwriting agreement, not to offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, make any short sale or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly any common shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common shares either owned as of the date of the underwriting agreement or thereafter acquired without the prior written consent of the representative. The representative may, in its sole discretion and at any time or from time to time before the termination of the lock-up period, without notice, release all or any portion of the securities subject to lock-up agreements if, in its sole and absolute discretion the market for the common shares would not be adversely impacted by sales and in cases of financial emergency. The restrictions contained in the lock-up agreements shall not apply to the common shares to be sold pursuant to the underwriting agreement on behalf of the undersigned, if any. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) we issue an earnings release or material news, or a material event relating to our Company occurs, during the last 17 days of the restriction period (as defined in the lock-up agreement), or (ii) prior to the expiration of the restriction period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the restriction period, the restrictions imposed by the lock-up agreement shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event, unless the underwriter waives such extension.

Other Relationships

If we decide to make an offering of our equity or equity-linked securities at any time prior to the fifteen month anniversary of the closing date of this offering, we have granted the underwriter the right to act as a placement agent or underwriter, subject to certain fee limitations and this offering providing minimum net proceeds of $5 million, as applicable.

Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

In connection with the offering the underwriter may engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act:

 

   

Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.

 

   

Over-allotment involves sales by the underwriter of shares in excess of the number of shares the underwriter are obligated to purchase, which creates a short position. The short position may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of shares over-allotted by the underwriter is not greater than the number of shares that they may purchase in the over-allotment option. In a naked short position, the number of shares involved is greater than the number of shares in the over-allotment option. The underwriter may close out any covered short position by either exercising their over-allotment option and/or purchasing shares in the open market.

 

   

Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of common shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. In determining the source of shares to close out the short position, the underwriter will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the over-allotment option. If the underwriter sell more shares than could be covered by

 

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the over-allotment option, a naked short position, the position can only be closed out by buying shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriter are concerned that there could be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

 

   

Penalty bids permit a syndicate representative to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the common shares originally sold by the syndicate member is purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions.

These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids, to the extent applicable, may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common shares or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the common shares. As a result, the price of our securities may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. Neither we nor the underwriter make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common shares. In addition, neither we nor the underwriter make any representations that the underwriter will engage in these stabilizing transactions or that any transaction, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

NASDAQ Listing Application

Our common shares are currently listed on the TSX under the trading symbol “IN”, and under the trading symbol “IMLFF” on the OTCQX® Best Market. We have applied to list our common shares on the Nasdaq under the symbol “INM.”

Electronic Distribution

This preliminary prospectus in electronic format may be made available on websites or through other online services maintained by the underwriter, or by their affiliates. Other than this preliminary prospectus in electronic format, the information on the underwriter’s website and any information contained in any other website maintained by such underwriter is not part of this preliminary prospectus or the registration statement of which this preliminary prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the underwriter in its capacity as underwriter, and should not be relied upon by investors.

Other

From time to time, the underwriter and/or their affiliates have provided, and may in the future provide, various investment banking and other financial services for us for which services they have received and, may in the future receive, customary fees. In the course of their businesses, the underwriter and their affiliates may actively trade our securities or loans for their own account or for the accounts of customers, and, accordingly, the underwriter and their affiliates may at any time hold long or short positions in such securities or loans. Except for services provided in connection with this offering, the underwriter has not provided any investment banking or other financial services to us during the 180-day period preceding the date of this prospectus and we do not expect to retain the underwriter to perform any investment banking or other financial services for at least 90 days after the date of this prospectus.

Selling Restrictions

No action may be taken in any jurisdiction other than the United States that would permit a public offering of the common shares or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, the securities offered hereby may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and neither the prospectus nor any other offering material or advertisements in connection with such securities may be distributed or published in or from any country or jurisdiction except under circumstances that will result in compliance with any applicable laws, rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Dorsey & Whitney LLP, which has acted as our United States counsel in connection with this offering, will pass on certain legal matters with respect to United States federal law in connection with this offering. Farris LLP, which has acted as our Canadian counsel in connection with this offering, will pass on certain legal matters with respect to Canadian law in connection with this offering. Ellenoff Grossman  & Schole LLP has acted as counsel to the underwriter in connection with this offering.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial of InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. as of June 30, 2019 and 2018, and for each of the years in the two-year period ended June 30, 2019, have been included herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the common shares offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement, some of which is contained in exhibits to the registration statement as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us and our common shares, we refer you to the registration statement, including the exhibits filed as a part of the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus concerning the contents of any contract or any other document are not necessarily complete. If a contract or document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, please see the copy of the contract or document that has been filed. Each statement in this prospectus relating to a contract or document filed as an exhibit is qualified in all respects by the filed exhibit. The SEC maintains an internet website that contains reports and other information about issuers, like us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov.

On the closing of this offering, we will be subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and we will file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC.

We also maintain a website at www.inmedpharma.com. Information contained in, or accessible through, our website is not a part of this prospectus, and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is only as an inactive textual reference.

 

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LOGO

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.

 

Index to Financial Statements

   Page  

Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended June 30, 2019 and 2018

     F-2  

Independent Auditor’s Report

     F-3  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2019 and 2018

     F-4  

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018

     F-5  

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018

     F-6  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018

     F-7  

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-8  

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for the Nine Months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019

     F-32  

Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2020 and 2019

     F-33  

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the Nine Months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019

     F-34  

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Nine Months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019

     F-35  

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019

     F-36  

Unaudited Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-37  

 

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LOGO

Consolidated Financial Statements of

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.

For the Year Ended June 30, 2019

Suite 310 – 815 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C 1B4

Tel: +1-604-669-7207

 

F-2


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LOGO

KPMG LLP

PO Box 10426 777 Dunsmuir Street

Vancouver BC V7Y 1K3

Canada

Telephone (604) 691-3000

Fax (604) 691-3031

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED

PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of June 30, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended June 30, 2019, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 30, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended June 30, 2019, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

Chartered Professional Accountants

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2017.

Vancouver, Canada

March 27, 2020

 

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InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As at June 30, 2019 and 2018

Expressed in U.S. Dollars

 

 

 

     Note      2019     2018  
            $     $  

ASSETS

       

Current assets:

       

Cash and cash equivalents

     14        9,837,213       18,327,975  

Short-term investments

     14        3,946,736       1,779,021  

Accounts receivable

        64,940       40,533  

Prepaids and advances

        324,195       154,524  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

        14,173,084       20,302,053  

Non-Current assets:

       

Property and equipment, net

     3        42,660       42,324  

Intangible assets, net

     4        1,221,371       1,307,003  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

        15,437,115       21,651,380  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

       

Current liabilities:

       

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     5        1,194,211       712,150  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

       

Common shares, no par value, unlimited authorized shares 172,283,633 (2018- 170,851,069) shares issued and outstanding

     6        53,065,240       52,680,712  

Additional paid-in capital

     6, 7        16,769,932       14,655,605  

Accumulated deficit

        (55,710,232     (46,461,737

Accumulated other comprehensive income

        117,964       64,650  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Shareholders’ Equity

        14,242,904       20,939,230  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

        15,437,115       21,651,380  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13)

Subsequent Events (Note 16)

Approved on behalf of the Board of Directors by:

 

/s/ Eric A. Adams

    

/s/ Adam Cutler

Eric A. Adams, Director

    

Adam Cutler, Director

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

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InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

For the years ended June 30

Expressed in U.S. Dollars

 

 

 

     Note    2019     2018  
          $     $  

Operating Expenses:

       

Research and development and patents

   8      5,126,408       1,934,473  

General and administrative

   9      4,296,520       6,055,739  

Amortization and depreciation

   3, 4      119,399       117,928  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

        9,542,327       8,108,140  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other Income (loss):

       

Interest income

        327,720       69,552  

Foreign exchange (loss) gain

        (33,888     226  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss for the year

        (9,248,495     (8,038,362

Other comprehensive income (loss):

       

Foreign currency translation gain (loss)

        53,314       (232,536
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss for the year

        (9,195,181     (8,270,898
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share for the year

       

Basic and diluted

   10      (0.05     (0.06

Weighted average outstanding common shares

       

Basic and diluted

   10      171,338,793       142,451,768  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

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InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the years ended June 30, 2019 and June 30, 2018

Expressed in U.S. Dollars

 

 

 

    Note   Common Shares     Additional
Paid-in Capital
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss) –
Foreign
Exchange
    Total  
        #     $     $     $     $     $  

Balance June 30, 2017

      127,649,466       36,734,349       7,900,109       (38,423,375     297,186       6,508,269  

Net loss for the year

      —         —         —         (8,038,362     (232,536     (8,270,898

Shares issued for cash, net of issue costs

  6     30,039,815       10,110,836       5,921,138       —         —         16,031,974  

Share-based payments for services

  6     35,718       32,903       —         —         —         32,903  

Share-based compensation

  7     —         —         3,821,378       —         —         3,821,378  

Exercise of warrants

  6     5,895,775       1,386,080       (818,097     —         —         567,983  

Fair value of agent’s warrants

  6     —         —         969,809       —         —         969,809  

Fair value of agent’s warrants exercised

  6     —         106,594       (106,594     —         —         —    

Exercise of stock options

  6     7,230,295       4,309,950       (3,032,138     —         —         1,277,812  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance June 30, 2018

      170,851,069       52,680,712       14,655,605       (46,461,737     64,650       20,939,230  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    Note   Common Shares     Additional
Paid-in Capital
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss) –
Foreign
Exchange
    Total  
        #     $     $     $     $     $  

Balance June 30, 2018

      170,851,069       52,680,712       14,655,605       (46,461,737     64,650       20,939,230  

Net loss for the year

      —         —         —         (9,248,495     53,314       (9,195,181

Share-based compensation

  7     —         —         2,294,057       —         —         2,294,057  

Exercise of warrants

  6     7,564       6,116       (6,116     —         —         —    

Exercise of stock options

  6     1,425,000       378,412       (173,614     —         —         204,798  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance June 30, 2019

      172,283,633       53,065,240       16,769,932       (55,710,232     117,964       14,242,904  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

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InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the years ended June 30

Expressed in U.S. Dollars

 

 

 

     Note    2019     2018  
          $     $  

Cash provided by (used in)

       

Operating Activities:

       

Net loss for the year

        (9,248,495     (8,038,362

Items not requiring cash:

       

Amortization and depreciation

   3, 4      119,399       117,928  

Share-based compensation

   7      2,294,057       3,821,378  

Accrued interest income on short-term investments

        (70,806     (10,919

Changes in non-cash working capital:

       

Prepaids and advances

        (166,804     (17,684

Accounts receivable

        (23,883     4,547  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

        472,241       427,281  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cash outflows from operating activities

        (6,624,291     (3,695,831
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investing Activities:

       

Maturity of short-term investments

        3,496,830       —    

Purchase of short-term investments

        (5,558,288     (1,833,517

Purchase of property and equipment

        (26,812     (43,807
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cash outflows from investing activities

        (2,088,270     (1,877,324
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financing Activities:

       

Shares issued for cash

   6      204,798       20,578,242  

Share issue costs

   6      —         (1,697,760
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash provided by financing activities

        204,798       18,880,482  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effects of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents

        17,001       (148,340
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Decrease) increase in cash during the year

        (8,490,762     13,158,987  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents beginning of the year

        18,327,975       5,168,988  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents end of the year

        9,837,213       18,327,975  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

See note 12 for Non-Cash Transactions

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

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INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

1.

NATURE OF BUSINESS AND FUTURE OPERATIONS:

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“InMed” or the “Company”) was incorporated in the Province of British Columbia on May 19, 1981 under the Business Corporations Act of British Columbia. InMed is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in the research and development of novel, cannabinoid-based therapies and a biosynthesis system for the manufacturing of pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids.

The Company’s shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the trading symbol “IN”, and under the trading symbol “IMLFF” on the OTCQX® Best Market. InMed’s corporate office and principal place of business is located at #310 – 815 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6C 1B4.

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes that the Company will be able to meet its commitments, realize its assets and discharge its liabilities. The Company has a history of operating losses and negative cash flows from operations and has no current sources of revenue. The Company’s ability to continue its operations on a going concern basis over the next twelve months after the financial issuance date is supported by its available cash and cash equivalents to meet its obligations. Until such time as the Company can generate substantial product revenue and achieve profitable operations, continuing operations are dependent upon receiving continued support from its shareholders, its ability to raise additional financing through issuing equity or debt, and ultimately achieving profitable operations. There is no assurance that the Company will be successful in these efforts. The Company has the ability to slow down or delay research and development program spending and reduce certain general and administrative expenditures in order to ensure its cash will extend past twelve months after the financial issuance date. These consolidated financial statements do not reflect adjustments to the carrying values of assets and liabilities that would be necessary if the Company was unable to continue as a going concern and such adjustments could be material.

 

2.

SIGNFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

 

  (a)

Basis of Presentation

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

  (b)

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in compliance with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities as of the balance sheet date, and the corresponding revenues and expenses for the periods reported. It also requires management to exercise judgment in applying the Company’s accounting policies. In the future, actual experience may differ from these estimates and assumptions. The areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to these consolidated financial statements are the estimate of useful life of intangible assets, the application of the going concern assumption, the impairment assessment for long-lived assets, and determining the fair value of share-based payments and warrants, which are discussed further below:

 

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INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d)

 

  (b)

Use of Estimates (cont’d)

 

  Estimate

of useful life of intangible assets

In the determination of the estimated useful life for intangible assets, which includes certain patents and technical know-how, management assesses a variety of internal and external factors such as the expected usage of the intangible assets by the Company, technical or commercial obsolescence and expected actions by competitors or potential competitors.

 

  Application

of going concern assumption

The assessment of whether the going concern assumption is appropriate requires management to take into account all available information about the future, which is at least, but is not limited to, 12 months from the consolidated financial statement’s issuance date.

 

  Assets’

impairment

Whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the asset may not be recoverable, estimates of future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset are made, requiring estimates of both the timing and the amount of cash flows. If the asset is determined to be impaired, estimates of fair value are made using a discounted cash flow model.

 

  Share-based

payments and warrants

Management determines costs for share-based payments and warrants using market-based valuation techniques. The fair value of the market-based and performance-based share awards are determined at the date of grant using generally accepted valuation techniques. Assumptions are made and judgment is used in applying valuation techniques. These assumptions and judgments include estimating the future volatility of the stock price, expected dividend yield, forfeiture rates and future employee stock option exercise behaviors and corporate performance. Such judgments and assumptions are inherently uncertain. Changes in these assumptions affect the fair value estimates.

 

  (c)

Basis of Consolidation:

These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the inactive subsidiaries: Biogen Sciences Inc., Sweetnam Consulting Inc., and InMed Pharmaceutical Ltd. The Company’s former inactive subsidiary, Meridex Network Corporation, was wound up into InMed effective April 17, 2019. A subsidiary is an entity that the Company controls, either directly or indirectly, where control is defined as the power to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. All inter-company transactions and balances including unrealized income and expenses arising from intercompany transactions are eliminated in preparing consolidated financial statements.

 

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INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d)    

 

  (d)

Foreign Currency

The functional currency of the Company and its subsidiaries is the Canadian Dollar. These consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. Dollars. References to “$” and “US$” are to United States (“U.S.”) dollars and references to “C$” are to Canadian dollars.

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to the functional currency at exchange rates at the date of the transactions. Period end balances of monetary assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated to the functional currency using the period end foreign currency rates. Foreign currency gains and losses are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Non-monetary items that are measured at historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction.

Assets and liabilities are translated from the Canadian dollar functional currency to the U.S. dollar presentation currency based on the exchange rate at the balance sheet date. Income and expense, capital transactions and cash flows are translated to U.S. dollar presentation currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the transaction date or at an appropriate average exchange rate. Foreign currency translation adjustments to arrive at the presentation currency are recognized as a component of comprehensive income (loss).

 

  (e)

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash-on-hand, demand deposits with financial institutions and other short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when acquired that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

 

  (f)

Short-term Investments

Short-term investments include fixed and variable rate guaranteed investment certificates, with terms greater than three months and less than twelve months. Guaranteed investment certificates are convertible to known amounts of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

 

  (g)

Property and Equipment, Net

Equipment and leasehold improvements are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. The initial cost of equipment and leasehold improvements comprises their purchase price. The useful lives of equipment and leasehold improvements are reviewed at least once per year. Equipment and leasehold improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method based on their estimated useful lives as follows:

 

   

Computer equipment – 30% per annum

 

   

Leasehold improvements – lesser of initial lease term or useful life

Property and equipment, acquired or disposed of during the year, are depreciated proportionately for the period they are in use.

 

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INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d)

 

  h)

Intangible Assets, Net

Intangible assets is comprised of acquired intellectual property, which consists of certain patents and technical know-how. The intellectual property is recorded at cost and is amortized on a straight-line basis over an estimated useful life of 18 years net of any accumulated impairment losses.

 

  (i)

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company assesses the recoverability of its long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of the long-lived asset is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or assets. If carrying value exceeds the sum of undiscounted cash flows, the Company then determines the fair value of the underlying asset. Any impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the estimated fair value of the asset group. Assets classified as held for sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less costs to sell. As of June 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company determined that there were no impaired assets and no assets were held-for-sale.

 

  (j)

Financial Assets and Liabilities

 

  Financial

Assets

Financial assets are initially recognized at fair value, plus transaction costs that are directly attributable to their acquisition or issue and subsequently carried at amortized cost, using the effective interest rate method, less any impairment losses. No financial assets are or elected to be carried at fair value through profit or loss or where changes in fair value are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss in other comprehensive loss.

Cash and cash equivalents are subsequently recognized at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Short-term investments are subsequently recorded at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value. Accounts receivable are reported at outstanding amounts, net of provisions for uncollectable amounts. At all periods presented, the Company has no allowance for doubtful accounts.

The Company evaluates the recoverability of accounts receivable on a regular basis based upon various factors including payment history and collection experience on other accounts or events expected to affect future collections experience.

 

  Financial

Liabilities

Financial liabilities, including accounts payable and accrued liabilities, are initially recognized at fair value net of any transaction costs directly attributable to the issuance of the instrument and subsequently carried at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. This ensures that any interest expense over the period to repayment is at a constant rate on the balance of the liability carried in the consolidated balance sheet. Interest expense in this context includes initial transaction costs and premiums payable on redemption, as well as any interest or coupon payable while the liability is outstanding.

 

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INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d)

 

  (j)

Financial Assets and Liabilities (cont’d)

 

  Financial

Liabilities (cont’d)

 

To determine the fair value of financial instruments, the Company uses the fair value hierarchy for inputs used to measure fair value of financial assets and liabilities. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels: Level 1 (highest priority), Level 2, and Level 3 (lowest priority).

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments.

Level 2 — Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (i.e., interest rates, yield curves, etc.), and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs).

Level 3 — Inputs are unobservable and reflect the Company’s assumptions as to what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The Company develops these inputs based on the best information available. Assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. Changes in the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification of levels for certain securities within the fair value hierarchy.

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximate their carrying values as at June 30, 2019 and 2018 due to their immediate or short-term maturities.

 

  (k)

Income Taxes

The Company records a provision for income taxes for the anticipated tax consequences of the reported results of operations using the asset and liability method. Under this method, it recognizes deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates that are expected to apply to taxable income for the years in which those tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. The Company recognizes the deferred income tax effects of a change in tax rates in the period of the enactment. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to the net amount that management believes is more likely than not to be realized. The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized. The Company records interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expenses.

 

F-12


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d)

 

  (l)

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per common share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing the net income or loss applicable to common shares of the Company by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the relevant period. Diluted earnings (loss) per common share (“Diluted EPS”) is computed by dividing the net income or loss applicable to common shares by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares issued and outstanding and all additional common shares that would have been outstanding, if potentially dilutive instruments were converted. If the conversion of outstanding stock options and warrants into common share is anti-dilutive, then diluted EPS is not presented separately from EPS. Diluted EPS for year-to-date (including annual) periods is based upon the weighted average of the incremental shares included in each interim period for the year-to-date period.

 

  (m)

Share-based Payments

The fair value, at the grant date, of equity-classified share awards is charged to income or loss over the period for which the benefits of employees and others providing similar services are expected to be received. The vesting components of graded vesting employee awards are measured separately and expensed over the related tranche’s vesting period. The corresponding accrued entitlement is recorded in additional paid-in capital. The amount recognized as an expense is adjusted to reflect the number of share options that vest. The fair value of awards is calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model which considers the exercise price, current market price of the underlying shares, expected life of the award, risk-free interest rate, expected volatility and the dividend yield.

Up to June 30, 2018, each vesting tranche of equity classified non-employee awards were remeasured each reporting period with a final measurement date of each vesting tranche being its vesting date. Post vesting, if continued services were not required, the award would become subject to other standards. Starting July 1, 2018, the Company accounted for non-employee awards under the guidance provided under ASU 2018-07 (see note 2 (r) iii)).

The expected term of the Company’s employee stock options has been determined using the simplified method and the Company estimates the forfeitures on the grant date for options issued. The expected term of the Company’s non-employee stock options is the contractual term of the options granted and the Company estimates the forfeitures on the grant date for options issued.

 

  (n)

Research and Development Costs

The Company conducts research and development programs and incurs costs related to these activities, including research and development personnel compensation, services provided by contract research organizations and lab supplies. Research and development costs, net of contractual reimbursements from development partners, are expensed in the periods in which they are incurred.

 

  (o)

Patents and Intellectual Property Costs

The costs of filing for patents and of prosecuting and maintaining intellectual property rights are expensed as incurred due to the uncertainty surrounding the drug development process and the

 

F-13


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d)

 

  (o)

Patents and Intellectual Property Costs (cont’d)

 

uncertainty of future benefits. Patents and intellectual property acquired from third parties for approved products or where there are alternative future uses are capitalized and amortized over the remaining life of the patent.

 

  (p)

Research Grants

Research grants are recognized as a recovery of research expenditures in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss when there is reasonable assurance that the Company will comply with the conditions attached to them and that the grants will be received. The Company only recognizes grant proceeds when the proceeds have been spent on research expenses. Grant amounts received in advance are recorded as deferred grant proceeds.

 

  (q)

Segment reporting

The Company’s operations consist of one operating segment related to the biopharmaceutical research and development of novel, cannabinoid-based therapies and a biosynthesis system for the manufacturing of pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids.

 

  (r)

New Standards Applicable in the Reporting Period

 

  i)

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014–09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The new guidance in ASC 606 requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers under a comprehensive five-step model: (i) identify contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when or as a performance obligation is satisfied. The Company adopted the new standard effective July 1, 2018, as required, using the modified retrospective approach under which previously presented financial statements are not restated and the cumulative effect of adopting ASC 606 is recognized by adjusting retained earnings at the effective date. The adoption of ASU 2014–09 had no impact the Company’s balance sheet, results of operations, equity or cash flows as of the adoption date.

 

  ii)

Financial Instruments - Overall

In January 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall, which requires equity investments, not subject to consolidation or equity accounting, to be measured at fair value and fair value through profit and loss subsequently, unless a practical exemption applies. This update did not change the classification of investments in debt securities and loans. The ASU was effective July 1, 2018 and did not impact on the Company’s consolidated statements of financial position, operations or comprehensive loss, changes in shareholders’ equity or cash flows.

 

F-14


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d)

 

  (r)

New Standards Applicable in the Reporting Period (cont’d)

 

  iii)

Non-employee Share-based Payment Accounting

In June 2018, FASB the issued ASU No. 2018-07, Compensation- Stock Compensation (topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The amendments in this ASU expand the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from non-employees. This ASU substantially aligns non-employee award and employee award accounting under ASC 718, except that expected life assumptions for measurement purposes and attribution policies remain unchanged. Vested non-employee awards will continue to be accounted for under ASC 718 unless they are modified after the non-employee stops providing goods and services. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. As permitted, the Company has elected to early apply this ASU and apply it effective July 1, 2018, in accordance with the ASU. Unvested awards outstanding at July 1, 2018 were re-valued at the date of adoption and no accounting changes are made to awards that vested at or prior to the date of adoption.

 

  (s)

Future Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

The standards listed below include only those which the Company reasonably expects may be applicable to the Company at a future date. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the standards on the consolidated financial statements.

 

  i)

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016–02, Leases (Topic 842) and subsequent amendments to the initial guidance: ASU 2017–13, ASU 2018–10 and ASU 2018–11, ASU 2018-20, ASU 2019-01 and ASU 2019-10 (collectively, Topic 842). Topic 842 establishes principles for recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both the lessee and lessor. The new guidance retains a distinction between finance leases and operating leases, with cash payments from operating leases classified within operating activities in the statement of cash flows. It also requires lessees to recognize all leases, including operating leases, with a term greater than 12 months on the balance sheet at the lease commencement date, for the present value of future lease payment obligations created by those leases and an offsetting right-of-use asset, which is depreciated over its useful life. The Company has arrangements currently classified as operating leases which will be recorded as a right of use asset and corresponding liability on the balance sheet and recognized interest expense on the lease obligation and depreciation on the right-of-use asset is combined and presented as lease expense on the consolidated statement of operations. Topic 842 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company plans to record a cumulative effect adjustment as at July 1, 2019, the effective date of adoption, and no retrospective adjustment is required. The Company will apply the exemption to treat short-term leases less than 12 months as executory contracts, to grandfather the assessment of which leases are leases as previously assessed under ASC 840, and to exclude initial direct costs from the measurement of the right-of-use asset. Based on the analysis completed to date of the Company’s expected leasing arrangements as of June 30, 2019, on adoption of the new standard and the commencement of the Company’s new lease on September 1, 2019, the Company expects to recognize right-of-use assets of approximately $427,860 which is equal to the

 

F-15


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d)

 

  (s)

Future Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted (cont’d)

 

  i)

Leases (cont’d)

 

amount of the lease liability of approximately $379,033, discounted at the Company’s incremental borrowing rate of 8%, plus approximately $48,827 reclassified from prepaids and advances related to its arrangements where the Company is the lessee. There was no impact to opening deficit.

 

  ii)

Credit losses

In June 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments- Credit Losses (Topic 326), and subsequent amendments to the initial guidance: ASU 2018-19, ASU 2019-04, ASU 2019-05 and ASU 2019-10 (collectively Topic 326), requires companies to measure credit losses on financial instruments measured at amortized cost applying an “expected credit loss” model based upon past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect collectability. Previously, companies applied an “incurred loss’ model for recognizing credit losses. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 14, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on the consolidated financial statements.

 

  iii)

Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Liabilities and Equity

In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017–11, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260); Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480); Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): (Part I) Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features, (Part II) Replacement of the Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Non-controlling interests with a Scope Exception. The ASU was issued to address the complexity associated with applying U.S. GAAP for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity.

The ASU, among other things, eliminates the need to consider the effects of down round features when analyzing convertible debt, warrants and other financing instruments. As a result, a freestanding equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded conversion option) no longer would be accounted for as a derivative liability at fair value as a result of the existence of a down round feature. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and should be applied retrospectively. The adoption of this standard had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

  iv)

Fair Value Measurement

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018–13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The amendments in this ASU eliminate, add and modify certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements as part of its disclosure framework project. The standard is effective for the Company in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact the adoption of the standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

F-16


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d)

 

  (s)

Future Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted (cont’d)

 

  v)

Collaborative Arrangements

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018–18, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808): Clarifying the Interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606. This ASU provides guidance that clarifies when certain transactions between participants in a collaborative arrangement should be accounted for under ASC 606 when the counterparty is a customer, and amends ASC 808 to refer to the unit-of-account guidance in ASC 606. The guidance specifically precludes an entity from presenting consideration from a transaction in a collaborative arrangement as revenue from contracts with customers if the counterparty is not a customer for that transaction. This ASU is effective for public business entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for entities that have adopted ASC 606. The Company currently has no agreements that would be classified as collaborative arrangements.

 

3.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property and equipment consists of the following:

 

     2019      2018  
     $      $  

Equipment

     56,839        40,857  

Leasehold Improvements

     39,328        27,765  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property and equipment

     96,167        68,622  

Less: accumulated depreciation

     (53,507      (26,298
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

     42,660        42,324  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Depreciation expense on property and equipment for the year ended June 30, 2019 was $26,739 (2018- $21,224).

 

4.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

Intangible assets consist of:

 

     2019      2018  
     $      $  

Intellectual property

     1,689,318        1,678,926  

Less: accumulated amortization

     (467,947      (371,923
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Intangible assets, net

     1,221,371        1,307,003  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The acquired intellectual property is recorded at cost and is amortized on a straight-line basis over an estimated useful life of 18 years net of any accumulated impairment losses. At June 30, 2019, the acquired intellectual property has an estimated remaining useful life of approximately 14 years.

 

F-17


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

4.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET (cont’d)

 

Amortization expense on intangible assets for the year ended June 30, 2019 was $92,660 (2018- $96,704). Based upon the intangible assets held as at June 30, 2019, the Company expects amortization expense to be incurred over the next five years as follows:

 

     $  

2020

     93,851  

2021

     93,851  

2022

     93,851  

2023

     93,851  

2024

     93,851  
  

 

 

 
     469,255  
  

 

 

 

 

5.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consist of the following:

 

     2019      2018  
     $      $  

Trade payables

     120,540        102,585  

Accrued research and development expenses

     480,389        49,596  

Employee compensation, benefits and related accruals

     397,549        286,879  

Accrued legal and professional

     195,733        273,090  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     1,194,211        712,150  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

6.

SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES

 

  a)

Authorized

As at June 30, 2019, the Company’s authorized share structure consisted of: (i) an unlimited number of common shares without par value; and (ii) an unlimited number of preferred shares without par value. No preferred shares were issued and outstanding as at June 30, 2019 and 2018.

The Company may issue preferred shares and may, at the time of issuance, determine the rights, preference and limitations pertaining to these shares. Holders of preferred shares may be entitled to receive a preference payment in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company before any payment is made to the holders of common shares.

During the year ended June 30, 2019, the Company completed the following:

 

Transaction Description

   Number      Issue Price      Value  
            C$      US$  

Issued for exercise of warrants (i)

     7,564      $ 0.65        —    

Fair value of warrants exercised (i)

     —          —          6,116  

Issued for exercise of stock options (ii)

     1,425,000      $ 0.19        204,798  

Fair value of stock options exercised (ii)

     —          —          173,614  

 

F-18


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

6.

SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES (cont’d)

 

  b)

Common Shares

 

  i)

The Company issued an aggregate 7,564 common shares pursuant to the exercise of 35,000 share purchase warrants. The 35,000 share purchase warrants that were exercised had an exercise price of C$0.65 each and, pursuant to the terms of a May 31, 2017 financing, were exercised on a net cashless basis, based on the five-day volume-weighted average trading price of the common shares of the Company on the TSX ending on the date immediately preceding the date of exercise. The exercise of these 35,000 share purchase warrants resulted in the issuance of 7,564 common shares but, as they were exercised on a net cashless basis, no cash was received.

 

  ii)

The Company issued an aggregate 1,425,000 common shares pursuant to the exercise of 1,425,000 stock options at a weighted average exercise price of C$0.19 per share. The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised at the date of exercise was $422,679 (C$559,500).

During the year ended June 30, 2018, the Company completed the following:

 

Transaction Description    Number      Issue Price      Value  
            C$      US$  

Issued for private placement (iv)

     13,428,571      $ 0.70        7,500,199  

Issued for public placement (iii)

     16,611,244      $ 0.90        11,232,247  

Share issue costs (iii), (iv)

     —          —          (2,700,472

Issued for services (iv)

     35,718      $ 1.17        32,903  

Issued for exercise of warrants (v)

     5,895,775      $ 0.15 - $0.65        567,983  

Grant date fair value of agents’ warrants exercised

     —          —          106,594  

Issued for exercise of stock options (vi)

     7,230,295      $ 0.11 - $0.45        1,277,813  

Grant date fair value of stock options exercised

     —          —          3,032,138  

 

  iii)

On June 21, 2018, the Company completed a public offering (“June-2018 Financing”) of 16,611,244 units (“June-2018 Units”), at a price of C$0.90 per June-2018 Unit for gross proceeds of $11,232,247 (C$14,950,120). Each June-2018 Unit consists of one common share and one share purchase warrant (a “June-2018 Warrant”), or an aggregate of 16,611,244 full June-2018 Warrants. Each full June-2018 Warrant is exercisable by the holder to acquire one additional common share at a price of C$1.25 for a period of twenty-four (24) months expiring on June 21, 2020. The June-2018 Warrants trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the symbol “IN.WT”.

Share issue costs from the sale of June-2018 Units of $1,499,625 is comprised of $748,128 in underwriter’s commission, the non-cash fair value of $415,626 for 1,106,397 warrants (“June-2018 Agent Warrants”) issued to the underwriter and $335,871 of other transaction costs. Each June-2018 Agent Warrant is exercisable in whole or in part at an exercise price of C$1.05 for a period of twenty-four (24) months expiring on June 21, 2020. The allocation of net proceeds from this financing to the June-2018 Warrants was done using the relative fair values of the shares and warrants.

 

F-19


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

6.

SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES (cont’d)

 

  b)

Common Shares (cont’d)

 

  iv)

On January 3, 2018, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement (“Jan-2018 Financing”) for 13,428,571units (“Jan-2018 Units”), at a price of C$0.70 per Jan-2018 Unit for gross proceeds of $7,500,199 (C$9,400,000). Each Unit consists of one common share and one non- transferable share purchase warrant (a “Jan-2018 Warrant”). Each Jan-2018 Warrant is exercisable by the holder to acquire one additional common share at a price of C$1.25 for a period of eighteen (18) months expiring on July 3, 2019.

Share issue costs from the sale of Jan-2018 Units of $1,200,847 is comprised of $496,040 in finders’ fees, the non-cash fair value of $554,183 for 433,556 warrants (“January-2018 Agent Warrants”) issued to finders and $150,624 of other transaction costs. The January-2018 Agent Warrants have identical terms as the January-2018 Warrants described above. For the $496,040 in finders’ fees, $32,903 was settled on February 9, 2018 via the issuance of 35,718 common shares at the C$1.17 closing price on the date of issuance of these shares. The allocation of net proceeds from this financing to the Jan-2018 Warrants was done using the relative fair values of the shares and warrants.

 

  v)

The Company issued an aggregate 5,895,775 common shares pursuant to the exercise of 8,232,095 share purchase and agents’ warrants at a weighted average exercise price of C$0.44 per share. Included in the total number of share purchase warrants exercised were 3,710,984 share purchase warrants, with a weighted average exercise price of C$0.19 each, that were exercised for cash and 4,521,111 share purchase warrants with an exercise price of C$0.65 each that, pursuant to the terms of a May 31, 2017 financing, were exercised on a net cashless basis, based on the five-day volume-weighted average trading price of the common shares of the Company on the stock exchange that the Company’s shares were trading on at that time (either the TSX or CSE) ending on the date immediately preceding the date of exercise. The exercise of these 4,521,111 share purchase warrants resulted in the issuance of 2,184,791 common shares but, as they were exercised on a net cashless basis, no cash was received.

 

  vi)

The Company issued an aggregate 7,230,295 common shares pursuant to the exercise of 7,345,000 stock options at a weighted average exercise price of C$0.23 per share. Included in the total number of stock options exercised were 300,000 stock options with an exercise price of C$0.195 per share that, pursuant to the terms of a settlement agreement with the stock option holder, were exercised on a net cashless basis, based on the C$0.51 per common share closing price of the Company on the CSE on the date immediately preceding the date of exercise. The exercise of these 300,000 stock options resulted in the issuance of 185,295 common shares.

 

F-20


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

6.

SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES (cont’d)

 

  c)

Share Purchase Warrants

Share purchase warrants are exercisable in Canadian dollars (United States dollar amounts for exercise price and aggregate intrinsic value are calculated using prevailing rates as at June 30, 2019). Each warrant entitles the holders thereof the right to purchase one common share. The following is a summary of changes in share purchase warrants from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2019:

 

     Number      Weighted
Average
Share Price
     Weighted
Average
Share Price
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
     #      C$      US$      C$      US$  

Balance as at June 30, 2017

     9,434,000      $ 0.49      $ 0.37        —          —    

Granted

     30,039,815      $ 1.25      $ 0.96        

Exercised (Note 6. b) v))

     (7,561,111    $ 0.45      $ 0.34        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as at June 30, 2018

     31,912,704      $ 1.21      $ 0.92        —          —    

Exercised (Note 6. b) i))

     (35,000    $ 0.65      $ 0.50        

Expired

     (1,837,889    $ 0.65      $ 0.50        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as at June 30, 2019

     30,039,815      $ 1.25      $ 0.96        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Issuance Date

   Number      Exercise
Price
     Exercise
Price
     Expiry Date  
            C$      US$         

January 3, 2018

     13,428,571      $ 1.25      $ 0.96        July 3-19  

June 21, 2018

     16,611,244      $ 1.25      $ 0.96        June 21-20  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Balance as at June 30, 2019

     30,039,815      $ 1.25      $ 0.96     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

The weighted average remaining contractual life of the share purchase warrants at June 30, 2019 was 0.54 years. The January 3, 2018 share purchase warrants in the table above expired unexercised on July 3, 2019.

 

  d)

Agents’ Warrants

Share purchase warrants are exercisable in Canadian dollars (United States dollar amounts for exercise price and aggregate intrinsic value are calculated using prevailing rates as at June 30, 2019). The following is a summary of changes in agents’ warrants from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2019:

 

     Number      Weighted
Average
Share Price
     Weighted
Average
Share Price
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
     #      C$      US$      C$      US$  

Balance as at June 30, 2017

     670,984      $ 0.40      $ 0.31        —          —    

Granted

     1,539,953      $ 1.11      $ 0.85        

Exercised (Note 6. b) v)

     (670,984    $ 0.40      $ 0.31        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as at June 30, 2018

     1,539,953      $ 1.11      $ 0.85        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as at June 30, 2019

     1,539,953      $ 1.11      $ 0.85        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-21


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

6.

SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES (cont’d)

 

  d)

Agents’ Warrants (cont’d)

 

At June 30, 2019, all Agents’ Warrants were fully vested. Each warrant entitles the holders thereof the right to purchase one common share as follows:

 

Issuance Date    Agents’
Warrants
     Exercise
Price
     Exercise
Price
     Expiry Date  
     #      C$      US$         

January 3, 2018

     433,556      $ 1.25      $ 0.96        July 3-19  

June 21, 2018

     1,106,397      $ 1.05      $ 0.80        June 21-20  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Balance as at June 30, 2019

     1,539,953      $ 1.11      $ 0.85     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

The weighted average remaining contractual life of the Agents’ Warrants at June 30, 2019 was 0.71 years. The January 3, 2018 Agents’ Warrants in the table above expired unexercised on July 3, 2019.

The weighted average fair value at grant date of Agents’ Warrants granted during the year ended June 30, 2018 was C$0.81 per Agents’ Warrant. Assumptions used for Agents’ Warrants granted during the prior year included a weighted average risk-free interest rate of 1.78%, weighted average life of 1.9 years, weighted average volatility factor of 117.98%, weighted average dividend yield of 0%. The expected price volatility is based on historic volatility of the Company, based on the expected life of the Agents’ Warrants, adjusted for any expected changes to future volatility due to publicly available information. The expected term is the expected average term to exercise the awards. The risk-free interest rate is based upon Government of Canada bonds that have a term that approximates the expected life of the Agents’ Warrants.

 

7.

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

 

  a)

Option Plan Details

On March 24, 2017, the Company’s shareholders approved: (i) the adoption of a new stock option plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to which the board of directors may, from time to time, in its discretion and in accordance with the requirements of the TSX, grant to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company, non-transferable options to purchase common shares, provided that the number of common shares reserved for issuance will not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the issued and outstanding common shares at the date the options are granted (on a non-diluted and rolling basis); and (ii) the application of the new stock option plan to all outstanding stock options of the Company that were granted prior to March 24, 2017 under the terms of the Company’s previous stock option plan.

As at June 30, 2019, there was 14,686,727 (June 30, 2018 – 17,575,214) options available for future allocation pursuant to the terms of the Plan. The option price under each option shall be not be less than the closing price on the day prior to the date of grant. All options vest upon terms as set by the Board of Directors, either over time, typically 12 to 36 months, or upon the achievement of certain corporate milestones.

 

F-22


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

7.

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (cont’d)

 

  a)

Option Plan Details (cont’d)

 

Stock options are granted with Canadian dollar exercise prices (United States dollar amounts for weighted average exercise prices and aggregate intrinsic value are calculated using prevailing rates as at June 30, 2019). The following is a summary of changes in outstanding options from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2019:

 

     Number      Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
     Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 
            C$      US$  

Balance as at June 30, 2017

     16,200,000        0.17        0.13  

Granted

     8,240,000        0.97        0.74  

Exercised

     (7,345,000      0.23        0.18  

Expired/Forfeited

     (500,000      0.81        0.62  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as at June 30, 2018

     16,595,000        0.52        0.40  

Granted

     4,800,000        0.50        0.38  

Exercised

     (1,425,000      0.19        0.15  

Expired/Forfeited

     (200,000      1.01        0.77  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as at June 30, 2019

     19,770,000        0.53        0.40  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-23


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

7.

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (cont’d)

 

  a)

Option Plan Details (cont’d)

 

The following is a summary of changes in options from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019:

 

Grant Date

  Expiry
Date
    Exercise
Price C$
    Opening
Balance
    Granted     Exercised     Expired/
Forfeited
    Closing
Balance
    Vested and
Exercisable
    Unvested  

4-Mar-15

    4-Mar-20     $ 0.360       200,000       —         —         —         200,000       200,000       —    

25-Aug-15

    25-Aug-20     $ 0.210       50,000       —         —         —         50,000       50,000       —    

23-Nov-15

    23-Nov-20     $ 0.145       200,000       —         —         —         200,000       200,000       —    

27-Nov-15

    27-Nov-20     $ 0.140       550,000       —         (500,000     —         50,000       50,000       —    

16-May-16

    16-May-21     $ 0.080       2,000,000       —         —         —         2,000,000       2,000,000       —    

10-Jun-16

    10-Jun-21     $ 0.130       800,000       —         —         —         800,000       800,000       —    

15-Jun-16

    15-Jun-21     $ 0.110       2,000,000       —         —         —         2,000,000       2,000,000       —    

26-Jul-16

    26-Jul-21     $ 0.110       750,000       —         —         —         750,000       750,000       —    

12-Sep-16

    12-Sep-21     $ 0.110       1,000,000       —         —         —         1,000,000       1,000,000       —    

28-Oct-16

    28-Oct-21     $ 0.195       400,000       —         —         —         400,000       400,000       —    

15-Nov-16

    15-Nov-21     $ 0.165       750,000       —         (750,000     —         —         —         —    

12-Dec-16

    12-Dec-21     $ 0.140       160,000       —         —         —         160,000       160,000       —    

13-Jan-17

    13-Jan-22     $ 0.250       1,000,000       —         —         —         1,000,000       1,000,000       —    

20-Feb-17

    20-Feb-22     $ 0.370       100,000       —         —         —         100,000       100,000       —    

22-Feb-17

    22-Feb-22     $ 0.410       50,000       —         —         —         50,000       50,000       —    

2-Jun-17

    2-Jun-22     $ 0.450       940,000       —         (175,000     (50,000     715,000       715,000       —    

10-Jul-17

    10-Jul-22     $ 0.330       355,000       —         —         —         355,000       255,000       100,000  

8-Mar-18

    8-Mar-23     $ 1.550       2,500,000       —         —         (50,000     2,450,000       1,375,000       1,075,000  

16-May-18

    16-May-23     $ 1.020       2,790,000       —         —         (100,000     2,690,000       1,345,000       1,345,000  

31-Aug-18

    31-Aug-23     $ 0.820       —         270,000       —         —         270,000       67,500       202,500  

20-Sep-18

    20-Sep-23     $ 0.800       —         150,000       —         —         150,000       37,500       112,500  

05-Dec-18

    05-Dec-23     $ 0.445       —         775,000       —         —         775,000       193,750       581,250  

14-Jan-19

    14-Jan-24     $ 0.500       —         140,000       —         —         140,000       —         140,000  

21-Jan-19

    21-Jan-24     $ 0.510       —         100,000       —         —         100,000       —         100,000  

4-Feb-19

    4-Feb-24     $ 0.790       —         150,000       —         —         150,000       —         150,000  

4-Mar-19

    4-Mar-24     $ 0.600       —         355,000       —         —         355,000       —         355,000  

27-May-19

    27-May 24     $ 0.435       —         2,860,000       —         —         2,860,000       —         2,860,000  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        16,595,000       4,800,000       (1,425,000     (200,000     19,770,000       12,748,750       7,021,250  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted Average Exercise Price C$

        $0.52       $0.50       $0.19       $1.01       $0.53       $0.41       $0.75  

Weighted Average Exercise Price US$

        $0.40       $0.38       $0.15       $0.77       $0.40       $0.31       $0.57  

Weighted Average Life Remaining

        2.66       4.73       —         —         3.19       2.53       4.40  

Aggregate Intrinsic Value (C$)

        $3,954,600             $Nil      

Aggregate Intrinsic Value (US$)

        $3,003,190             $Nil      

 

F-24


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

7.

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (cont’d)

 

  b)

Fair Value of Options Issued During the Period

 

  i)

The weighted average fair value at grant date of options granted during the year ended June 30, 2019 was C$0.34 per option (year ending June 30, 2018 – C$0.69) with a term of five years. Assumptions used for options granted during the year ended June 30, 2019 included a weighted average risk-free interest rate of 1.65% (year ending June 30, 2018 – 1.83%), weighted average expected life of 3.1 years calculated using the Simplified Method (year ending June 30, 2018 – 3.7 years), weighted average volatility factor of 109.37% (year ending June 30, 2018 – 133.70%), weighted average dividend yield of 0% (year ending June 30, 2018 – 0%) and a 5% forfeiture rate (year ending June 30, 2018 – 5%). The expected price volatility is based on historic volatility of the Company, based on the expected life of the options, adjusted for any expected changes to future volatility due to publicly available information.

 

      

Starting July 1, 2018, the Company accounted for 5 non-employee awards under the guidance provided under ASU 2018-07.

 

  ii)

Expenses Arising from Share-based Payment Transactions

 

      

Total expenses arising from share-based payment transactions recognized during the year ended June 30, 2019 were $2,294,057 (June 30, 2018 – $3,821,378). Unrecognized compensation cost at June 30, 2019 related to unvested options was $1,135,104 (C$1,486,504) which will be recognized over a weighted-average vesting period of 1.4 years.

 

8.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND PATENT EXPENSES

 

     2019      2018  
     $      $  

Research and Development:

     

Personnel compensation

     1,068,452        628,406  

Share-based payments

     866,667        417,162  

External contractors

     2,174,553        709,228  

Research supplies

     879,225        101,429  

Other

     20,206        8,338  

Less: Research grants

     (85,395      —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total research and development expenses

     4,923,708        1,864,563  

Patents

     202,700        69,910  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Research and Development and Patent Expenses

     5,126,408        1,934,473  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Effective November 1, 2018, the Company entered into a contribution agreement with the National Research Council Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (“NRC IRAP”) to receive funding of up to C$500,000 to support its ongoing R&D efforts in cannabinoid biosynthesis. It is expected that this funding will be earned over the period commencing November 1, 2018 through to approximately mid calendar 2020. Grant income is recognized as a recovery of research and development expenditures when earned.

 

F-25


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

9.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND GENERAL EXPENSES

 

     2019      2018  
     $      $  

Accounting and legal

     551,462        328,661  

Consulting

     31,766        68,787  

Corporate development

     —          138,823  

Investor relations, website development and marketing

     533,526        826,118  

Office and administrative

     210,122        141,043  

Regulatory fees

     62,704        203,967  

Rent

     150,916        104,787  

Shareholder communication

     93,876        59,362  

Transfer agent fees

     22,677        22,590  

Travel

     62,569        78,852  

Salaries and employee benefits

     1,149,512        678,533  

Share-based payments

     1,427,390        3,404,216  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total General and Administrative Expenses

     4,296,520        6,055,739  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

10.

BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE

Basic loss per share amounts are calculated by dividing the net loss for the period by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. As the outstanding warrants and stock options are all anti-dilutive, they are excluded from the weighted average number of common shares in the table below.

 

     2019      2018  

Net loss for the year

   ($ 9,248,495    ($ 8,038,362

Basic and diluted loss per share

   ($ 0.05    ($ 0.06

Weighted average number of common shares- basic and diluted

     171,338,793        142,451,768  

 

11.

INCOME TAXES

The following is a reconciliation of income taxes calculated at the combined Canadian federal and provincial income statutory corporate tax rate of 27.0% (June 30, 2018 – 26.5%) to the tax expense:

 

     2019      2018  
     $      $  

Net loss before taxes

     (9,248,495    ($ 8,038,362
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income tax expense (recovery) at the statutory rate

     (2,497,094      (2,130,166

Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting from:

     

Change in valuation allowance

     1,937,425        1,903,440  

Permanent differences

     621,207        1,013, 154  

Financing costs in equity

     —          (730,471

Other

     (61,538      (55,957
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income tax expense (recovery)

             
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-26


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

11.

INCOME TAXES (cont’d)

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

     2019      2018  
     $      $  

Non-capital losses

     7,802,253        5,695,093  

Financing costs

     527,370        714,403  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     8,329,623        6,409,496  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Intangible assets

     (220,711      (237,591

Fixed assets

     (737      (1,154
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (221,448      (238,745
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net deferred tax asset

     8,108,175        6,170,751  

Valuation allowance

     (8,108,175      (6,170,751
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

A full valuation allowance has been applied against the net deferred tax assets because it is not more likely than not that future taxable income will be available against which the Company can utilize the benefits therefrom.

As at June 30, 2019, the Company has non-capital loss carry-forwards of approximately $28,897,233 (June 30, 2018 – $21,092,936) available to offset future taxable income in Canada. These non-capital loss carryforwards begin to expire in 2026.

 

12.

NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS

Investing and financing activities that do not have a direct impact on cash flows are excluded from the statements of cash flows. During the year ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 the following transactions were excluded from the statements of cash flows:

 

  i)

In the year ending June 30, 2019, 35,000 (June 30, 2018 – 4,521,111) share purchase warrants, with an exercise price of C$0.65 each, were exercised. Pursuant to the terms of a May 31, 2017 financing, these share purchase warrants were exercised on a net cashless basis, based on the five-day volume-weighted average trading price of the common shares of the Company on the TSX ending on the date immediately preceding the date of exercise (see Note 6c). The exercise of these 35,000 share purchase warrants resulted in the issuance of 7,564 common shares (June 30, 2018 – 2,184,791);

 

  ii)

In the year ending June 30, 2018, finders’ fees of $32,903 for the Jan-2018 Financing were settled via the issuance of 35,718 common shares at the C$1.17 based on the closing price on the date of issuance;

 

  iii)

The grant of 1,539,953 Agents Warrants in the year ending June 30, 2018 for recorded value of $969,809 – see Note 6d; and

 

  iv)

Included in the total number of stock options exercised in the year ending June 30, 2018 were 300,000 stock options with an exercise price of C$0.195 per share that, pursuant to the terms of a settlement agreement with the stock option holder, were exercised on a net cashless basis, based on the C$0.51 per common share closing price of the Company on the date immediately preceding the date of exercise. The exercise of these 300,000 stock options resulted in the issuance of 185,295 common shares.

 

F-27


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

13.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Pursuant to the terms of agreements with various contract research organizations, as at June 30, 2019, the Company is committed for contract research services and materials at a cost of approximately $2,654,543. A total of $2,531,520 of these expenditures are expected to occur in the twelve months following June 30, 2019 and the balance of $123,023 in the following twelve-month period.

Pursuant to the terms of a May 31, 2017 Technology Assignment Agreement between the Company and the University of British Columbia (“UBC”), the Company is committed to pay royalties to UBC on certain licensing and royalty revenues received by the Company for biosynthesis of certain drug products that are covered by the agreement.

Pursuant to the terms of a December 13, 2018 Collaborative Research Agreement with UBC in which the Company owns all right, title and interest in and to any intellectual property, in addition to funding research at UBC, the Company is committed to make a one-time payment upon filing of any patent application arising from the research.

On June 22, 2017, the Company entered into an agreement to sublet office space with a sub-landlord. Under this agreement, the Company is leasing office premises at an annual cost of approximately $58,855 plus annual operating costs estimated at $77,080. The term of the sublease is from September 1, 2017 to August 31, 2019.

On January 14, 2019, the Company executed a lease for new office premises at an annual cost of approximately $99,180, increasing up to $109,500 in the last year of the lease, plus annual operating costs estimated at $59,980. The term of this new lease is from September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2024. In January 2019, the Company paid the landlord a security deposit of approximately $48,458, included in “Prepaids and advances” on the Company’s balance sheet, that is to be applied to the rent for certain months during the five-year lease term.

Short-term investments include guaranteed investment certificates with a face value of $43,937 (June 30, 2018 – $21,833) that are pledged as security for a corporate credit card.

The Company has entered into certain agreements in the ordinary course of operations that may include indemnification provisions, which are common in such agreements. In some cases, the maximum amount of potential future indemnification is unlimited; however, the Company currently holds commercial general liability insurance. This insurance limits the Company’s liability and may enable the Company to recover a portion of any future amounts paid. Historically, the Company has not made any indemnification payments under such agreements and it believes that the fair value of these indemnification obligations is minimal. Accordingly, the Company has not recognized any liabilities relating to these obligations for any period presented.

From time to time, the Company may be subject to various legal proceedings and claims related to matters arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not believe it is currently subject to any material matters where there is at least a reasonable possibility that a material loss may be incurred.

 

F-28


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

14.

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

Fair value:

Fair value measurements recognized on the balance sheets must be categorized in accordance with the following levels:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices);

Level 3: Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

The fair values of short-term investments, accounts receivable, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their carrying values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Cash and cash equivalents are measured at fair value using Level 1 inputs.

The following table summarizes the classification and carrying values of the Company’s financial instruments at June 30, 2019 and 2018:

 

June 30, 2019

   Level 1      Level 2      Total  

Financial assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

     9,837,213        —          9,837,213  

Short-term investments

     —          3,946,736        3,946,736  

Accounts receivable

     —          64,940        64,940  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial assets

     9,837,213        4,011,676        13,848,889  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

        

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     —          1,194,211        1,194,211  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial liabilities

     —          1,194,211        1,194,211  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2018

   Level 1      Level 2      Total  

Financial assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

     18,327,975        —          18,327,975  

Short-term investments

     —          1,779,021        1,779,021  

Accounts receivable

     —          40,533        40,533  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial assets

     18,327,975        1,819,554        20,147,529  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

        

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     —          712,150        712,150  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial liabilities

     —          712,150        712,150  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-29


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

14.

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (cont’d)

 

  a)

Market Risk:

Market risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. Market prices are comprised of four types of risk: foreign currency risk, interest rate risk, commodity price risk and equity price risk. The Company does not currently have significant commodity price risk or equity price risk.

 

  Foreign

Currency Risk:

Foreign currency risk is the risk that the future cash flows or fair value of the Company’s financial instruments that are denominated in a currency that is not the Company’s functional currency (C$) will fluctuate due to changes in foreign exchange rates. Portions of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and accounts payable and accrued liabilities are denominated in US dollars. Accordingly, the Company is exposed to fluctuations in the US and Canadian dollar exchange rates.

As at June 30, 2019, the Company has a net excess of US dollar denominated cash and cash equivalents in excess of US dollar denominated accounts payable and accrued liabilities of US$1,931,447 which is equivalent to C$2,527,685 at the June 30, 2019 exchange rate. The US dollar financial assets generally result from holding US dollar cash to settle anticipated near-term accounts payable and accrued liabilities denominated in US dollars. The US dollar financial liabilities generally result from purchases of supplies and services from suppliers from outside of Canada.

Each change of 1% in the US dollar in relation to the Canadian dollar results in a gain or loss, with a corresponding effect on cash flows, of $19,315 based on the June 30, 2019 net US dollar assets (liabilities) position. During the year ended June 30, 2019, the Company recorded foreign exchange loss of $33,888 (June 30, 2018 – gain of $226).

 

  Interest

Rate Risk:

Interest rate risk is the risk that future cash flows will fluctuate as a result of changes in market interest rates. As at June 30, 2019, holdings of cash and cash equivalents of $ 2,340,795 (June 30, 2018 - $16,365,252) are subject to floating interest rates. In addition, the Company held fixed rate guaranteed investment certificates, cashable within ninety days of purchase, with a book value of $7,268,373 (June 30, 2018 - $1,912,543). The balance of the Company’s cash holdings of $228,045 (June 30, 2018 - $50,180) are non-interest bearing.

As at June 30, 2019, the Company held short-term investments in the form of fixed rate guaranteed investment certificates, with terms of 6 to 12 months, with a face value of $3,820,585 (June 30, 2018 - $1,746,659) and variable rate guaranteed investment certificates, with one-year terms, with face value of $ 43,937 (June 30, 2018 - $21,833).

The Company’s current policy is to invest excess cash in guaranteed investment certificates or interest-bearing accounts of major Canadian chartered banks or credit unions with comparable credit ratings. The Company regularly monitors compliance to its cash management policy.

The Company, as at June 30, 2019, does not have any borrowings. Interest rate risk is limited to potential decreases on the interest rate offered on cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments held with chartered Canadian financial institutions. The Company considers this risk to be immaterial.

 

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INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

14.

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (cont’d)

 

  b)

Credit Risk:

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Company if a customer or a counter party to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. Financial instruments which are potentially subject to credit risk for the Company consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments are maintained with financial institutions of reputable credit and may be redeemed upon demand.

The carrying amount of financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure. Credit risk exposure is limited through maintaining cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments with high-credit quality financial institutions and management considers this risk to be minimal for all cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments assets based on changes that are reasonably possible at each reporting date.

 

  c)

Liquidity Risk:

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they become due. The Company’s policy is to ensure that it has sufficient cash to meet its liabilities when they become due, under both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to the Company’s reputation. A key risk in managing liquidity is the degree of uncertainty in the cash flow projections. If future cash flows are fairly uncertain, the liquidity risk increases. As at June 30, 2019, the Company has cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $13,783,949 (June 30, 2018 - $20,106,996), current liabilities of $1,194,211 (June 30, 2018 - $712,150) and a working capital surplus of $12,978,873 (June 30, 2018 - $19,589,903.

 

15.

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

The Company did not enter into any transactions with related parties during the year ended June 30, 2019.

 

16.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent to June 30, 2019, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The situation is dynamic and the ultimate duration and magnitude of the impact on the economy and our business are not known at this time. These impacts could include an impact on our ability to obtain debt and equity financing in the future, and impairment in the value of our long-lived assets.    

 

F-31


Table of Contents

 

LOGO

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements of

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.

For the Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2020

Suite 310 – 815 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C 1B4

Tel: +1-604-669-7207

 

F-32


Table of Contents

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

As at March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2019

Expressed in U.S. Dollars

 

 

 

     Note      March 31, 2020     June 30, 2019  
            $     $  

ASSETS

       

Current

       

Cash and cash equivalents

        6,968,630       9,837,213  

Short-term investments

        40,689       3,946,736  

Accounts receivable

        32,089       64,940  

Prepaids and advances

        185,479       324,195  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

        7,226,887       14,173,084  

Non-Current

       

Property and equipment, net

     3        414,019       42,660  

Intangible assets, net

     4        1,064,117       1,221,371  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

        8,705,023       15,437,115  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

       

Current

       

Accounts payables and accrued liabilities

     5        1,310,785       1,194,211  

Current portion of lease obligations

     10        64,940       —    
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

        1,375,725       1,194,211  

Non-current

       

Lease obligations

     10        256,789       —    
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

        1,632,514       1,194,211  

Shareholders’ Equity

       

Common shares, no par value, unlimited authorized shares: 172,283,633 (June 30, 2019 - 172,283,633) issued and outstanding

     6        53,065,240       53,065,240  

Additional paid-in capital

     6, 7        17,608,236       16,769,932  

Accumulated deficit

        (63,033,097     (55,710,232

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

        (567,870     117,964  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Shareholders’ Equity

        7,072,509       14,242,904  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

        8,705,023       15,437,115  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13)

Approved on behalf of the Board of Directors by:

 

/s/ Eric A. Adams

    

/s/ Adam Cutler

Eric A. Adams, Director

    

Adam Cutler, Director

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

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InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (unaudited)

For the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019

Expressed in U.S. Dollars

 

 

 

         Three Months Ended
March 31
    Nine Months Ended
March 31
 
     Note   2020     2019     2020     2019  
         $     $     $     $  

Operating Expenses

          

Research and development and patents

   8     1,274,913       1,427,848       4,843,656       3,079,746  

General and administrative

   9     902,289       1,037,886       2,661,545       3,274,203  

Amortization and depreciation

   3, 4     27,113       29,605       85,572       89,191  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

       2,204,315       2,495,339       7,590,773       6,443,140  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other Income (Loss)

          

Interest income

       26,330       81,901       125,231       258,671  

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

       153,927       (54,892     142,677       13,656  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss for the period

       (2,024,058     (2,468,330     (7,322,865     (6,170,813

Other Comprehensive Loss

          

Foreign currency translation (loss) gain

       (717,510     384,519       (685,834     (254,143
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive loss for the period

       (2,741,568     (2,083,811     (8,008,699     (6,424,956
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share, basic and diluted

       (0 .01     (0.01     (0 .04     (0.04

Weighted average outstanding common shares

       172,283,633       171,328,077       172,283,633       171,024,996  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

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InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (unaudited)

For the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019

Expressed in U.S. Dollars

 

 

 

    Note   Common Shares     Additional
Paid-in
Capital
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss) –
Foreign
Exchange
    Total  
        #     $     $     $     $     $  

Balance June 30, 2018

      170,851,069       52,680,712       14,655,605       (46,461,737     64,650       20,939,230  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Activity for the six months to December 31, 2018

             

Loss and comprehensive loss for the period

      —         —         —         (3,702,483     (638,662     (4,341,145

Share-based compensation

  7     —         —         1,367,687       —         —         1,367,687  

Shares issued on exercise of warrants

  6     7,564       6,116       (6,116     —         —         —    

Shares issued on exercise of stock options

  6     25,000       20,553       (11,946     —         —         8,607  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance December 31, 2018

      170,883,633       52,707,381       16,005,230       (50,164,220     (574,012     17,974,379  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Activity for the three months to March 31, 2019

             

Loss and comprehensive loss for the period

      —         —         —         (2,468,330     384,519       (2,083,811

Share-based compensation

  7     —         —         506,832       —         —         506,832  

Shares issued on exercise of stock options

  6     1,250,000       275,301       (129,571     —         —         145,730  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Activity for the nine months to March 31, 2019

      1,282,564       301,970       1,726,886       (6,170,813     (254,143     (4,396,100
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance March 31, 2019

      172,133,633       52,982,682       16,382,491       (52,632,550     (189,493     16,543,130  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    Note   Common Shares     Additional
Paid-in
Capital
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss) –
Foreign
Exchange
    Total  
        #     $     $     $     $     $  

Balance June 30, 2019

      172,283,633       53,065,240       16,769,932       (55,710,232     117,964       14,242,904  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Activity for the six months to December 31, 2019

             

Loss and comprehensive loss for the period

      —         —         —         (5,298,807     31,676       (5,267,131

Share-based compensation

  7     —         —         634,435       —         —         634,435  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance December 31, 2019

      172,283,633       53,065,240       17,404,367       (61,009,039     149,640       9,610,208  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Activity for the three months to March 31, 2020

             

Loss and comprehensive loss for the period

      —         —         —         (2,024,058     (717,510     (2,741,568

Share-based compensation

  7     —         —         203,869       —           203,869  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Activity for the nine months to March 31, 2020

      —         —         838,304       (7,322,865     (685,834     (7,170,395
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance March 31, 2020

      172,283,633       53,065,240       17,608,236       (63,033,097     (567,870     7,072,509  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

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InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

For the nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019

Expressed in U.S. Dollars

 

 

 

     Note    2020     2019  
          $     $  

Cash provided by (used in):

       

Operating Activities

       

Net loss for the period

        (7,322,865     (6,170,813

Items not requiring cash:

       

Amortization and depreciation

   3, 4      85,572       89,191  

Share-based compensation

   7      838,304       1,874,519  

Non-cash lease expense

        63,130       —    

Loss on disposal of assets

        2,331       —    

Received (accrued) interest income on short-term investments

        80,819       (52,166

Payments on lease obligations

        (48,865     —    

Changes in non-cash working capital:

       

Prepaids and advances

        72,428       (337,648

Accounts receivable

        29,704       (17,814

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

        223,369       (204,520
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cash outflows from operating activities

        (5,976,073     (4,819,251
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investing Activities

       

Maturity of short-term investments

        3,876,269       1,764,178  

Purchase of short-term investments

        (43,619     (5,573,779

Proceeds on disposal of property and equipment

        546       —    

Purchase of property and equipment

        (43,496     (13,473
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cash provided by (used in) investing activities

        3,789,700       (3,823,074
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financing Activities

       

Shares issued for cash

   6      —         154,339  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cash provided by financing activities

        —         154,339  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effects of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents

        (682,210     (163,093

Decrease in cash during the period

        (2,868,583     (8,651,079

Cash and cash equivalents beginning of the period

        9,837,213       18,327,975  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents end of the period

        6,968,630       9,676,896  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

See note 12 for Non-Cash Transactions

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2020 AND 2019

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

1.

CORPORATE INFORMATION AND CONTINUING OPERATIONS

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“InMed” or the “Company”) was incorporated in the Province of British Columbia on May 19, 1981 under the Business Corporations Act of British Columbia. InMed is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in the research and development of novel, cannabinoid-based therapies and a biosynthesis system for the manufacturing of pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids.

The Company’s shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the trading symbol “IN”, and under the trading symbol “IMLFF” on the OTCQX® Best Market. InMed’s corporate office and principal place of business is located at #310 – 815 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6C 1B4.

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes that the Company will be able to meet its commitments, realize its assets and discharge its liabilities. The Company has a history of operating losses and negative cash flows from operations and has no current sources of revenue. The Company’s ability to continue its operations on a going concern basis over the next twelve months after the financial statement issuance date is supported by its available cash and cash equivalents to meet its obligations. Until such time as the Company can generate substantial product revenue and achieve profitable operations, continuing operations are dependent upon receiving continued support from its shareholders, its ability to raise additional financing through issuing equity or debt, and ultimately achieving profitable operations. The existence of the COVID-19 virus, its ultimate duration and magnitude of the impact on the economy and our business are not known at this time. It is expected to continue to impact our operations and our ability to raise additional financing until a vaccine is ultimately widely available. There is no assurance that the Company will be successful in these efforts.

Based on the Company’s cash reserves as at March 31, 2020, the Company estimates that it has cash resources to fund its base operations until at least into the third quarter of calendar 2021. Included in the Company’s base operations are overheads, the completion of the remaining INM-755 Phase 1 Study 755-101-HV clinical trial reports, completion of the second Phase 1 clinical trial, Study 755-102-HV, certain formulation and early preclinical development work for INM-088, and further scale-up and optimization of the biosynthesis process. The ability for the Company to develop its research and development programs beyond these activities, which are expected, subject to any COVID-19 related delays, to be substantially completed during the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2020, is subject to accessing additional capital, including through the sale of equity, partnership revenues, and out-licensing activities. The Company has the ability to slow down or delay research and development program spending and reduce certain general and administrative expenditures in order to ensure its cash will extend past twelve months after the financial issuance date. These condensed consolidated interim financial statements do not reflect adjustments to the carrying values of assets and liabilities that would be necessary if the Company was unable to continue as a going concern and such adjustments could be material.

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

  a)

Basis of Presentation

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three and nine month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information.

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2020 AND 2019

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d)

 

  a)

Basis of Presentation (cont’d)

 

They do not include all disclosures that would otherwise be required in a complete set of financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s June 30, 2019 annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP.

These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared using accounting policies consistent with those used in the Company’s 2019 annual consolidated financial statements under US GAAP except for new standards, interpretations and amendments mandatorily effective for the first time from July 1, 2019.

The functional currency of the Company and its subsidiaries is the Canadian Dollar. These condensed consolidated interim financial statements are presented in U.S Dollars.

 

  b)

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in compliance with US GAAP requires management to make certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgment in applying the Company’s accounting policies. In the future, actual experience may differ from these estimates and assumptions. The areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to these condensed consolidated interim financial statements are the estimate of useful life of intangible assets, the application of the going concern assumption, the impairment assessment for long-lived assets, and determining the fair value of share-based payments and warrants.

On March 11, 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The situation is dynamic and the ultimate duration and magnitude of the impact on the economy and the Company’s business are not known at this time. Management uses judgement to assess the impact of the pandemic on the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and in assessing impairment in the value of its long-lived assets.

 

  c)

Basis of Consolidation

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements include the accounts of the inactive subsidiaries: InMed Pharmaceutical Ltd., Biogen Sciences Inc., and Sweetnam Consulting Inc. A subsidiary is an entity that the Company controls, either directly or indirectly, where control is defined as the power to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. All inter-company transactions and balances including unrealized income and expenses arising from intercompany transactions are eliminated in preparing these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

F-38

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2020 AND 2019

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d)

 

 

  d)

New Standards Applicable in the Reporting Period

These statements have been prepared using accounting policies consistent with those used in the Company’s 2019 annual consolidated financial statements except for new standards, interpretations and amendments mandatorily effective or elected to be applied for the first time on July 1, 2019, including:

 

  i)

Topic 842 Leases:

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016–02, Leases (Topic 842) and subsequent amendments to the initial guidance: ASU 2017–13, ASU 2018–10 and ASU 2018–11, ASU 2018-20, ASU 2019-01 and ASU 2019-10 (collectively, Topic 842). Topic 842 establishes principles for recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both the lessee and lessor, and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The new guidance retains a distinction between finance leases and operating leases, with cash payments from operating leases classified within operating activities in the statement of cash flows. The Company’s accounting policy under Topic 842 is as follows:

At inception of a contract, the Company assesses whether a contract is, or contains, a lease based on whether the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration.

The Company recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. The right-of-use asset is initially measured based on the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, less any lease incentives received. The assets are depreciated to the earlier of the end of the useful life of the right-of-use asset or the lease term using the straight-line method as this most closely reflects the expected pattern of consumption of the future economic benefits. The lease term includes periods covered by an option to extend if the Company is reasonably certain to exercise that option. In addition, the right-of-use asset is periodically reduced by impairment losses, if any, and adjusted for certain re-measurements of the lease liability.

The lease liability is initially measured as the present value of future lease payments excluding payments made at the commencement date, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. Generally, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate. The lease liability is measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. It is re-measured when there is a change in future lease payments arising from a change in an index or rate, if there is a change in the Company’s estimate of the amount expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee, or if the Company changes its assessment of whether it will exercise a purchase, extension or termination option. When the lease liability is re-measured in this way, a corresponding adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset or is recorded in profit or loss if the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset has been reduced to zero.

The Company has lease arrangements that include both lease and non-lease components. The Company accounts for each separate lease component and its associated non-lease components as a single lease component for all of its asset classes.

 

F-39

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2020 AND 2019

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d)

 

  d)

New Standards Applicable in the Reporting Period (cont’d)

 

  i)

Topic 842 Leases (cont’d):

 

The Company has elected to apply the practical expedient to grandfather the assessment of which transactions are leases on the date of initial application, as previously assessed under Topic 840 Leases. The Company applied the definition of a lease under Topic 842 Leases to contracts effective for periods on or after July 1, 2019.

The Company has elected to apply the practical expedient to exclude initial direct costs such as annual operating costs from the measurement of the right-of-use asset at the date of initial application. The Company has elected to apply the practical expedient not to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less and leases of low-value assets. The lease payments associated with these leases is recognized as an expense on a straight- line basis over the lease term.

On initial application of the standard on July 1, 2019, the Company had no transition adjustment to the consolidated financial statements based on the election to apply the practical expedient not to recognize the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less. On commencement of the lease for its new office premises on September 1, 2019, the Company recognized right-of-use assets of $427,860 a reduction of prepaids and advances of $48,827 and a lease liability of $379,033. The impact of the adoption of this new standard is non-cash in nature and, as such, the Company does not anticipate a material impact on cash flows. Please refer to Note 10 for more information. When measuring lease liabilities for leases classified as operating leases, the Company discounted lease payments using its incremental borrowing rate at September 1, 2019 of 8%.

 

  ii)

Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Liabilities and Equity

In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017–11, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260); Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480); Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): (Part I) Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features, (Part II) Replacement of the Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Non-controlling interests with a Scope Exception. The ASU was issued to address the complexity associated with applying U.S. GAAP for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity.

The ASU, among other things, eliminates the need to consider the effects of down round features when analyzing convertible debt, warrants and other financing instruments. As a result, a freestanding equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded conversion option) no longer would be accounted for as a derivative liability at fair value as a result of the existence of a down round feature. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and should be applied retrospectively. The adoption of this standard had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

F-40

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2020 AND 2019

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d)

 

  e)

Future Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

The standards listed below include only those which the Company reasonably expects may be applicable to the Company at a future date. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the standards on the consolidated financial statements.

 

  i)

Credit losses

In June 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments- Credit Losses (Topic 326), and subsequent amendments to the initial guidance: ASU 2018-19, ASU 2019-04, ASU 2019-05 and ASU 2019-10 (collectively Topic 326), requires companies to measure credit losses on financial instruments measured at amortized cost applying an “expected credit loss” model based upon past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect collectability. Previously, companies applied an “incurred loss’ model for recognizing credit losses. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 14, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on the consolidated financial statements. As an Emerging Growth Company, the ASU is effective for annual periods beginning in 2021 and interim periods within annual periods beginning in 2022.

 

  ii)

Fair Value Measurement

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018–13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The amendments in this ASU eliminate, add and modify certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements as part of its disclosure framework project. The standard is effective for the Company in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact the adoption of the standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

  iii)

Collaborative Arrangements

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018–18, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808): Clarifying the Interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606. This ASU provides guidance that clarifies when certain transactions between participants in a collaborative arrangement should be accounted for under ASC 606 when the counterparty is a customer, and amends ASC 808 to refer to the unit-of-account guidance in ASC 606. The guidance specifically precludes an entity from presenting consideration from a transaction in a collaborative arrangement as revenue from contracts with customers if the counterparty is not a customer for that transaction. This ASU is effective for public business entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for entities that have adopted ASC 606. The Company currently has no agreements that would be classified as collaborative arrangements.

 

  iv)

Income Taxes

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The amendments in this ASU removes certain exceptions for recognizing      deferred taxes for investments, performing intraperiod allocation and calculating

 

F-41

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2020 AND 2019

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d)

 

  e)

Future Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted (cont’d)

 

  iv)

Income Taxes (cont’d)

 

income taxes in interim periods. The ASU also adds guidance to reduce complexity in certain areas, including recognizing      deferred taxes for tax goodwill and allocating taxes to members of a consolidated group. The standard is effective for the Company in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoptions is permitted. The Company does not expect the amendment to have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

3.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment consists of the following:

 

     March 31,
2020
    June 30,
2019
 
     $     $  

Right-of-Use Asset (lease)

     400,959       —    

Equipment

     60,815       56,839  

Leasehold Improvements

     38,576       39,328  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and equipment

     500,350       96,167  

Less: accumulated depreciation

     (86,331     (53,507
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

     414,019       42,660  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation expense on property and equipment for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020 was $26,870 and $68,695, respectively (2019 – $6,914 and $19,728, respectively). Depreciation expense related to the Right-of-Use Asset for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020 of $21,148 and $49,942, respectively (2019 – $nil and $nil, respectively) were recorded in general and administrative expenses.

 

4.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assets consist of:

 

     March 31, 2020      June 30, 2019  
     $      $  

Intellectual property

     1,558,335        1,689,318  

Less: accumulated amortization

     (494,218      (467,947
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Intangible assets, net

     1,064,117        1,221,371  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The acquired intellectual property is recorded at cost and is amortized on a straight-line basis over an estimated useful life of 18 years net of any accumulated impairment losses. At March 31, 2020, the acquired intellectual property has an estimated remaining useful life of approximately 13.25 years.

Amortization expense on intangible assets for the for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020 was $21,391 and $66,801, respectively (2019 – $22,903 and $69,466, respectively). Based upon the intangible

 

F-42

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2020 AND 2019

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

4.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS (cont’d)

 

 

assets held as at March 31, 2020, the Company expects annual amortization expense to be incurred over the next five years as follows:

 

     $  

2020

     86,574  

2021

     86,574  

2022

     86,574  

2023

     86,574  

2024

     86,574  
  

 

 

 
     432,870  
  

 

 

 

 

5.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consist of the following:

 

     March 31, 2020      June 30, 2019  
     $      $  

Trade payables

     123,801        120,540  

Accrued research and development expenses

     554,540        480,389  

Employee compensation, benefits and related accruals

     375,982        397,549  

Accrued legal and professional

     256,462        195,733  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     1,310,785        1,194,211  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

6.

SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES

 

  a)

Authorized

As at March 31, 2020, the Company’s authorized share structure consisted of: (i) an unlimited number of common shares without par value; and (ii) unlimited number of preferred shares without par value. No preferred shares were issued and outstanding as at March 31, 2020 or June 30, 2019.

 

  b)

Common Shares

During the nine months ended March 31, 2020 there was no common share activity.

The following common share activity occurred in the nine months ended March 31, 2019:

 

Transaction Description    Number      Issue Price      Value  
            C$      US$  

Issued for exercise of warrants (i)

     7,564      $ 0.65        —    

Fair value of warrants exercised (i)

     —          —          6,116  

Issued for exercise of stock options (ii)

     1,425,000      $ 0.14 – $0.45        154,337  

Fair value of stock options exercised (ii)

     —          —          141,517  

 

  i)

The Company issued an aggregate 7,564 common shares pursuant to the exercise of 35,000 share purchase warrants at a weighted average exercise price of C$0.65 per share purchase warrants

 

F-43

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2020 AND 2019

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

6.

SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES (cont’d)

 

  b)

Common Shares (cont’d)

 

 

that, pursuant to the terms of a May 31, 2017 financing, were exercised on a net cashless basis, based on the five-day volume-weighted average trading price of the common shares of the Company on the TSX ending on the date immediately preceding the date of exercise. The exercise of these 35,000 share purchase warrants resulted in the issuance of 7,564 common shares but, as they were exercised on a net cashless basis, no cash was received.

 

  ii)

The Company issued 1,425,000 common shares pursuant to the exercise of 1,425,000 stock options at a weighted average exercise price of C$0.19 per share.

 

  c)

Share Purchase Warrants

Share purchase warrants are exercisable in Canadian dollars (United States dollar amounts for exercise price and aggregate intrinsic value are calculated using prevailing rates as at March 31, 2020). All share purchase warrants are vested at the date of grant.

The following is a summary of changes in share purchase warrants from July 1, 2018 to March 31, 2020:

 

     Number      Weighted
Average

Share
Price
     Weighted
Average

Share
Price
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
     #      C$      US$      C$      US$  

Balance as at June 30, 2018

     31,912,704        1.21        0.85        —          —    

Exercised 6(b)(i)

     (35,000      0.65        0.46        

Expired

     (1,837,889      0.65        0.46        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as at June 30, 2019

     30,039,815        1.25        0.88        —          —    

Expired

     (13,428,571      1.25        0.88        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as at March 31, 2020

     16,611,244        1.25        0.88        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The outstanding 16,611,244 share purchase warrants at March 31, 2020 were issued June 21, 2018, expire on June 21, 2020 and have a weighted average remaining contractual life of 0.22 years. Each warrant entitles the holders there of the right to purchase one common share.

 

  d)

Agents’ Warrants

Share purchase warrants are exercisable in Canadian dollars (United States dollar amounts for exercise price and aggregate intrinsic value are calculated using prevailing rates as at March 31, 2020). The following is a summary of changes in agents’ warrants from July 1, 2018 to March 31, 2020:

 

     Number     Weighted
Average

Share Price
     Weighted
Average

Share Price
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
     #     C$      US$      C$      US$  

Balance as at June 30, 2018 and 2019

     1,539,953       1.11        0.78        —          —    

Expired

     (433,556     1.25        0.88        
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as at March 31, 2020

     1,106,397       1.05        0.74        —          —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-44

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2020 AND 2019

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

6.

SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES (cont’d)

 

  d)

Agents’ Warrants (cont’d)

 

The outstanding 1,106,397 Agents’ Warrants at March 31, 2020 were issued on June 21, 2018, expire on June 21, 2020 and have a weighted average remaining contractual life of 0.22 years.

 

7.

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

 

  a)

Option Plan Details

In March 24, 2017, the Company’s shareholders approved: (i) the adoption of a new stock option plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to which the board of directors may, from time to time, in its discretion and in accordance with the requirements of the TSX, grant to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company, non-transferable options to purchase common shares, provided that the number of common shares reserved for issuance will not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the issued and outstanding common shares at the date the options are granted (on a non-diluted and rolling basis); and (ii) the application of the new stock option plan to all outstanding stock options of the Company that were granted prior to March 24, 2017 under the terms of the Company’s previous stock option plan.

As at March 31, 2020, there was 14,994,227 (June 30, 2019 – 14,686,727) options available for future allocation pursuant to the terms of the Plan. The option price under each option shall be not be less than the closing price on the day prior to the date of grant. All options vest upon terms as set by the Board of Directors, either over time, typically 12 to 36 months, and/or upon the achievement of certain corporate milestones.

Stock options are granted with Canadian dollar exercise prices (United States dollar amounts for weighted average exercise prices and aggregate intrinsic value are calculated using prevailing rates as at March 31, 2020).

The following is a summary of changes in outstanding options from July 1, 2018 to March 31, 2020:

 

     Number      Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
     Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 
            C$      US$  

Balance as at June 30, 2018

     16,595,000        0.52        0.37  

Granted

     4,800,000        0.50        0.35  

Exercised

     (1,425,000      0.19        0.13  

Expired/Forfeited

     (200,000      1.01        0.71  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as at June 30, 2019

     19,770,000        0.53        0.37  

Granted

     1,740,000        0.27        0.19  

Expired/Forfeited

     (2,047,500      1.15        0.81  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as at March 31, 2020

     19,462,500        0.45        0.32  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-45

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2020 AND 2019

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

7.

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (cont’d)

 

  a)

Option Plan Details (cont’d)

 

The following is a summary of changes in options from July 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020:

 

Grant Date

 

Expiry
Date

  Exercise
Price $C
    Opening
Balance
    Granted     Exercised     Expired/
Forfeited
    Closing
Balance
    Vested and
Exercisable
    Unvested  

4-Mar-15

  4-Mar-20   $ 0.360       200,000       —         —         (200,000     —         —         —    

25-Aug-15

  25-Aug-20   $ 0.210       50,000       —         —         —         50,000       50,000       —    

23-Nov-15

  23-Nov-20   $ 0.145       200,000       —         —         —         200,000       200,000       —    

27-Nov-15

  27-Nov-20   $ 0.140       50,000       —         —         —         50,000       50,000       —    

16-May-16

  16-May-21   $ 0.080       2,000,000       —         —         —         2,000,000       2,000,000       —    

10-Jun-16

  10-Jun-21   $ 0.130       800,000       —         —         —         800,000       800,000       —    

15-Jun-16

  15-Jun-21   $ 0.110       2,000,000       —         —         —         2,000,000       2,000,000       —    

21-Jul-16

  26-Jul-21   $ 0.110       750,000       —         —         —         750,000       750,000       —    

12-Sep-16

  12-Sep-21   $ 0.110       1,000,000       —         —         —         1,000,000       1,000,000       —    

28-Oct-16

  28-Oct-21   $ 0.195       400,000       —         —         —         400,000       400,000       —    

12-Dec-16

  12-Dec-21   $ 0.140       160,000       —         —         —         160,000       160,000       —    

13-Jan-17

  13-Jan-22   $ 0.250       1,000,000       —         —         —         1,000,000       1,000,000       —    

20-Feb-17

  20-Feb-22   $ 0.370       100,000       —         —         —         100,000       100,000       —    

22-Feb-17

  22-Feb-22   $ 0.410       50,000       —         —         —         50,000       50,000       —    

2-Jun-17

  2-Jun-22   $ 0.450       715,000       —         —         —         715,000       715,000       —    

10-Jul-17

  10-Jul-22   $ 0.330       355,000       —         —         —         355,000       355,000       —    

8-Mar-18

  8-Mar-23   $ 1.550       2,450,000       —         —         (1,250,000     1,200,000       1,200,000       —    

16-May-18

  16-May-23   $ 1.020       2,690,000       —         —         (125,000     2,565,000       1,923,750       641,250  

31-Aug-18

  31-Aug-23   $ 0.820       270,000       —         —         —         270,000       202,500       67,500  

20-Sep-18

  20-Sep-23   $ 0.800       150,000       —         —         —         150,000       112,500       37,500  

5-Dec-18

  5-Dec-23   $ 0.450       775,000       —         —         (37,500     737,500       387,500       350,000  

14-Jan-19

  14-Jan-24   $ 0.500       140,000       —         —         (35,000     105,000       105,000       —    

21-Jan-19

  21-Jan-24   $ 0.510       100,000       —         —         —         100,000       50,000       50,000  

4-Feb-19

  4-Feb-24   $ 0.790       150,000       —         —         —         150,000       75,000       75,000  

4-Mar-19

  4-Mar-24   $ 0.600       355,000       —         —         —         355,000       177,500       177,500  

27-May-19

  27-May-24   $ 0.435       2,860,000       —         —         (400,000     2,460,000       615,000       1,845,000  

1-Jul-19

  1-Jul-24   $ 0.330       —         100,000       —         —         100,000       22,244       77,756  

9-Aug-19

  9-Aug-24   $ 0.270       —         1,000,000       —         —         1,000,000       —         1,000,000  

3-Dec-19

  3-Dec-24   $ 0.250       —         300,000       —         —         300,000       —         300,000  

12-Jan-20

  11-Jan-25   $ 0.250       —         340,000       —         —         340,000       —         340,000  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        19,770,000       1,740,000       —         (2,047,500     19,462,500       14,500,994       4,961,506  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted Average Exercise Price C$

 

  $ 0.53     $ 0.27     $ —       $ 1.15     $ 0. 45     $ 0.44     $ 0.47  

Weighted Average Exercise Price US$

 

  $ 0.37     $ 0.19     $ —       $ 0.81     $ 0. 32     $ 0.31     $ 0.33  

    

                 

Weighted Average Life Remaining

 

    3.19       3.56       —         —         2. 49       2.06       3.75  

Aggregate Intrinsic Value (C$)

 

  $ —             $ —        

Aggregate Intrinsic Value (US$)

 

  $ —             $ —        
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-46

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2020 AND 2019

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

7.

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (cont’d)

 

 

  b)

Fair Value of Options Issued During the Period

 

  i)

The weighted average fair value at grant date of options granted during the nine months ended March 31, 2020 was C$0.18 per option (year ending June 30, 2019 – C$0.34). Assumptions used for options granted during the nine months ended March 31, 2020 included a weighted average risk-free interest rate of 1.51% (year ending June 30, 2019 – 1.65%), weighted average expected life of 3.3 years calculated using the Simplified Method (year ending June 30, 2019 – 3.1 years), weighted average volatility factor of 110.08% (year ending June 30, 2019 – 109.37%), weighted average dividend yield of 0% (year ending June 30, 2019 – 0%) and a 5% forfeiture rate (year ending June 30, 2019 – 5%).

 

  ii)

Expenses Arising from Share-based Payment Transactions

Total expenses arising from share-based payment transactions recognized during the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020 were $203,869 and $838,304 (2019 – $506,832 and $1,874,519). Unrecognized compensation cost at March 31, 2020 related to unvested options was $359,964 (C$510,681) which will be recognized over a weighted-average vesting period of 1.3 years.

 

8.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND PATENT EXPENSES

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31
    Nine Months Ended
March 31
 
     2020     2019     2020     2019  
     $     $     $     $  

Research and Development:

        

Personnel compensation

     340,483       307,439       1,024,152       733,659  

Share-based payments

     96,054       212,558       435,663       663,365  

External contractors

     613,241       422,705       2,677,020       1,063,210  

Research supplies

     196,311       451,260       701,136       489,446  

Other

     3,304       2,821       13,591       16,315  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross research and development expenses

     1,249,393       1,396,783       4,851,562       2,965,995  

Less research grant revenue

     (49,732     (38,171     (139,297     (52,082
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net research and development expenses

     1,199,661       1,358,612       4,712,265       2,913,913  

Patents

     75,252       69,236       131,391       165,833  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total research and development and patent expenses

     1,274,913       1,427,848       4,843,656       3,079,746  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective November 1, 2018, the Company entered into a contribution agreement with the National Research Council Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (“NRC IRAP”) to receive funding of up to C$500,000 to support its ongoing R&D efforts in cannabinoid biosynthesis. It is expected that this funding will be earned over the period commencing November 1, 2018 through to October 2020. Research grant revenue is recognized as a recovery of research and development expenditures when earned.

 

F-47

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2020 AND 2019

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

9.

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31
     Nine Months Ended
March 31
 
     2020      2019      2020      2019  
     $      $      $      $  

General and Administrative Expenses:

           

Accounting and legal

     198,407        113,470        514,074        308,032  

Consulting

     —          15,505        941        37,860  

Investor relations, website development and marketing

     99,711        141,545        273,530        395,427  

Office and administration

     64,535        63,719        175,797        151,370  

Regulatory fees

     8,249        11,711        32,871        52,061  

Lease

     41,271        37,104        108,883        112,248  

Shareholder communication

     25,718        20,493        99,386        87,250  

Transfer agent fees

     8,992        12,534        21,423        18,182  

Travel and conferences

     14,177        26,647        59,377        52,359  

Salaries and employee benefits

     333,414        300,884        972,622        848,260  

Share-based payments

     107,815        294,274        402,641        1,211,154  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total General and Administrative Expenses

     902,289        1,037,886        2,661,545        3,274,203  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

10.

LEASE OBLIGATIONS

Effective July 1, 2019, the Company adopted Topic 842 Leases using the modified retrospective approach and, accordingly, the information presented for the year ending June 30, 2019 has not been restated and it remains as previously reported under Topic 840.

On commencement of the lease for the Company’s new offices premises on September 1, 2019, the Company recognized right-of-use assets of $427,860 and a lease liability of $379,033 with no net impact on accumulated deficit. When measuring lease liabilities, the Company discounted lease payments using its incremental borrowing rate at September 1, 2019 of 8%.

The following table lists the Company’s operating lease obligations recognized on commencement of the lease for the Company’s new offices premises at September 1, 2019.

 

Lease obligations recognized as at September 1, 2019

   $  379,033  

Discounted using the incremental borrowing rate at September 1, 2019

     8%  

Estimated annual variable lease payments not included in lease obligations

   $ 60,440  

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

F-48


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INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2020 AND 2019

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

10.

LEASE OBLIGATIONS (cont’d)

 

 

The Company is committed to minimum lease payments as follows:

 

Maturity Analysis

   March 31,
2020
 

Less than one year

   $ 83,889  

One to five years

     295,848  

More than five years

     —    
  

 

 

 

Total undiscounted lease liabilities

   $  379,737 (1) 

(1) Excludes estimated variable operating costs of $60,440 on an annual basis through to August 31, 2024.

 

11.

SEGMENTED INFORMATION

The Company operates in one segment, the biopharmaceutical research and development of novel, cannabinoid based therapies and a biosynthesis system for the manufacturing of pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids.

 

12.

NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS

Investing and financing activities that do not have a direct impact on cash flows are excluded from the statements of cash flows. During the nine months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 the following transactions were excluded from the statements of cash flows:

 

  a)

In the nine months ended March 31, 2019, 35,000 share purchase warrants, with an exercise price of C$0.65 each, were exercised. Pursuant to the terms of a May 31, 2017 financing, these share purchase warrants were exercised on a net cashless basis, based on the five-day volume-weighted average trading price of the common shares of the Company on the TSX ending on the date immediately preceding the date of exercise (see Note 6). The exercise of these 35,000 share purchase warrants resulted in the issuance of 7,564 common shares.

 

13.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Pursuant to the terms of agreements with various contract research organizations, as at March 31, 2020, the Company is committed for contract research services and materials at a cost of approximately $1,059,531. A total of $1,011,198 of these expenditures are expected to occur in the twelve months following March 31, 2020 and the balance of $48,333 in the following twelve month period.

On January 14, 2019, the Company executed a lease for new office premises at an annual cost of approximately $91,492, increasing up to $101,008 in the last year of the lease, plus annual operating costs estimated at $60,440 (see Note 10). The term of this new lease is from September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2024. In January 2019, the Company paid the landlord a security deposit, of which $45,757 is included in the right-of-use asset in Note 3 and approximately $23,064 pertaining to variable lease payments and not included in the lease liability is included in “Prepaids and advances” on the Company’s balance sheet, that is to be applied to the rent for certain months during the five year lease term.

 

F-49

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2020 AND 2019

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

13.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (cont’d)

 

 

Short-term investments include guaranteed investment certificates with a face value of $40,530 (June 30, 2019 – $43,937) that are pledged as security for a corporate credit card.

The Company has entered into certain agreements in the ordinary course of operations that may include indemnification provisions, which are common in such agreements. In some cases, the maximum amount of potential future indemnification is unlimited; however, the Company currently holds commercial general liability insurance. This insurance limits the Company’s liability and may enable the Company to recover a portion of any future amounts paid. Historically, the Company has not made any indemnification payments under such agreements and it believes that the fair value of these indemnification obligations is minimal. Accordingly, the Company has not recognized any liabilities relating to these obligations for any period presented.

From time to time, the Company may be subject to various legal proceedings and claims related to matters arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not believe it is currently subject to any material matters where there is at least a reasonable possibility that a material loss may be incurred.

 

14.

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

Fair value:

Fair value measurements recognized in the statement of financial position must be categorized in accordance with the following levels:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices);

Level 3: Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

The fair values of short-term investments, accounts receivable, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their carrying values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Cash and cash equivalents are measured at fair value using Level 1 inputs.

 

F-50

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2020 AND 2019

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

14.

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (cont’d)

Fair value: (cont’d)

 

The following table summarizes the classification and carrying values of the Company’s financial instruments at March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2019:

 

March 31, 2020    Level 1      Level 2      Total  
     $      $      $  

Financial assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

     6,968,630        —          6,968,630  

Short-term investments

     —          40,689        40,689  

Accounts receivable

     —          32,089        32,089  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial assets

     6,968,630        72,778        7,041,408  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

        

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     —          1,310,785        1,310,785  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial liabilities

     —          1,310,785        1,310,785  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2019    Level 1      Level 2      Total  
     $      $      $  

Financial assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

     9,837,213        —          9,837,213  

Short-term investments

     —          3,946,736        3,946,736  

Accounts receivable

     —          64,940        64,940  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial assets

     9,837,213        4,011,676        13,848,889  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

        

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     —          1,194,211        1,194,211  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial liabilities

     —          1,194,211        1,194,211  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Market Risk:

Market risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. Market prices are comprised of four types of risk: foreign currency risk, interest rate risk, commodity price risk and equity price risk. The Company does not currently have significant commodity price risk or equity price risk.

Foreign Currency Risk:

Foreign currency risk is the risk that the future cash flows or fair value of the Company’s financial instruments that are denominated in a currency that is not the Company’s functional currency will fluctuate due to changes in foreign exchange rates. Portions of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and accounts payable and accrued liabilities are denominated in US dollars. Accordingly, the Company is exposed to fluctuations in the US and Canadian dollar exchange rates.

 

F-51

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2020 AND 2019

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

14.

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (cont’d)

Market Risk: (cont’d)

 

As at March 31, 2020, the Company has a net excess of US dollar denominated cash and cash equivalents in excess of US dollar denominated accounts payable and accrued liabilities of US$1,480,380 which is equivalent to C$2,100,215 at the March 31, 2020 exchange rate. The US dollar financial assets generally result from holding US dollar cash to settle anticipated near-term accounts payable and accrued liabilities denominated in US dollars. The US dollar financial liabilities generally result from purchases of supplies and services from suppliers from outside of Canada.

Each change of 1% in the US dollar in relation to the Canadian dollar results in a gain or loss, with a corresponding effect on cash flows, of $14,804 based on the March 31, 2020 net US dollar assets (liabilities) position. During the nine months ended March 31, 2020, the Company recorded a foreign exchange gain of $140,999 (March 31, 2019 – gain of $13,656).

As at March 31, 2020, the Company has a net excess of Euros denominated accounts payable and accrued liabilities in excess of Euros denominated cash and cash equivalents of €192,672 which is equivalent to US$211,644 at the March 31, 2020 exchange rate. The Euros financial assets generally result from holding Euros cash to settle anticipated near-term accounts payable and accrued liabilities denominated in Euros. The Euros financial liabilities generally result from purchases of supplies and services from suppliers from outside of Canada.

Each change of 1% in the Euros in relation to the Canadian dollar results in a gain or loss, with a corresponding effect on cash flows, of $2,117 based on the March 31, 2020 net Euros assets (liabilities) position. During the nine months ended March 31, 2020, the Company recorded foreign exchange gain of $1,678 (March 31, 2019 – gain of $Nil).

Interest Rate Risk:

Interest rate risk is the risk that future cash flows will fluctuate as a result of changes in market interest rates. As at March 31, 2020, holdings of cash and cash equivalents of $5,051,229 (June 30, 2019 – $2,340,795) are subject to floating interest rates. In addition, the Company held fixed rate guaranteed investment certificates, cashable within ninety days of purchase, with a book value of $Nil (June 30, 2019 – $7,268,373). The balance of the Company’s cash holdings of $1,917,401 (June 30, 2019 – $228,045) are non-interest bearing.

As at March 31, 2020, the Company held short-term investments in the form of variable rate guaranteed investment certificates, with one year terms, with face value of $40,530 (June 30, 2019 – $43,937) and fixed rate guaranteed investment certificates, with terms of 6 to 12 months, with a face value of $Nil (June 30, 2019 – $3,820,585).

The Company’s current policy is to invest excess cash in guaranteed investment certificates or interest bearing accounts of major Canadian chartered banks or credit unions with comparable credit ratings. The Company regularly monitors compliance to its cash management policy.

 

F-52

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.


Table of Contents

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2020 AND 2019

(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

14.

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (cont’d)

Market Risk: (cont’d)

 

The Company, as at March 31, 2020, does not have any borrowings. Interest rate risk is limited to potential decreases on the interest rate offered on cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments held with chartered Canadian financial institutions. The Company considers this risk to be immaterial.

Credit Risk:

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Company if a customer or a counter party to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. Financial instruments which are potentially subject to credit risk for the Company consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments are maintained with financial institutions of reputable credit and may be redeemed upon demand.

The carrying amount of financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure. Credit risk exposure is limited through maintaining cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments with high-credit quality financial institutions and management considers this risk to be minimal for all cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments assets based on changes that are reasonably possible at each reporting date.

Liquidity Risk:

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they become due. The Company’s policy is to ensure that it has sufficient cash to meet its liabilities when they become due, under both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to the Company’s reputation. A key risk in managing liquidity is the degree of uncertainty in the cash flow projections. If future cash flows are fairly uncertain, the liquidity risk increases. As at March 31, 2020, the Company has cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $7,009,319 (June 30, 2019 – $13,783,949), current liabilities of $1,375,725 (June 30, 2019 – $1,194,211), and a working capital surplus of $5,851,162 (June 30, 2019 – $12,978,873).

 

F-53

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.


Table of Contents

 

 

LOGO

Common Shares

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

Roth Capital Partners

 

 

                , 2020

 

 

 


Table of Contents

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 13. Other expenses of issuance and distribution

The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, to be paid by us in connection with the sale of the common shares being registered hereby. All amounts shown are estimates except for the SEC registration fee, the FINRA filing fee and Nasdaq initial listing fee.

 

SEC registration fee

   $ 1,558  

FINRA filing fee

     2,000  

Nasdaq listing fee

     40,000  

Printing and engraving expenses

     50,000  

Legal fees and expenses

     300,000  

Accounting fees and expenses

     75,000  

Blue Sky fees and expenses (including legal fees)

     5,000  

Transfer agent and registrar fees and expenses

     10,000  

Miscellaneous

     15,000  

Total

     448,558  

Item 14. Indemnification of directors and officers

We are subject to the provisions of Part 5, Division 5 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), or “BCBCA”. Under Section 160 of the BCBCA, we may, subject to Section 163 of the BCBCA:

 

  1.

indemnify an individual who:

 

   

is or was a director or officer of our company;

 

   

is or was a director or officer of another corporation (i) at a time when such corporation is or was an affiliate of our company; or (ii) at our request, or

 

   

at our request, is or was, or holds or held a position equivalent to that of, a director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity,

and including, subject to certain limited exceptions, the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of that individual (collectively, an “eligible party”), against all eligible penalties to which the eligible party is or may be liable; and

 

  2.

after final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party in respect of that proceeding, where:

 

   

“eligible penalty” means a judgment, penalty or fine awarded or imposed in, or an amount paid in settlement of, and eligible proceeding.

 

   

“eligible proceeding” means a proceeding in which an eligible party or any of the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of the eligible party, by reason of the eligible party being or having been a director or officer of, or holding or having held a position equivalent to that of a director or officer of, our company or an associated corporation (a) is or may be joined as a party, or

 

II-1


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(b) is or may be liable for or in respect of a judgment, penalty or fine in, or expenses related to, the proceeding.

 

   

“proceeding” includes any legal proceeding or investigative action, whether current, threatened, pending or completed.

Under Section 161 of the BCBCA, and subject to Section 163 of the BCBCA, we must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party in respect of that proceeding if the eligible party (a) has not been reimbursed for those expenses, and (b) is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the outcome of the proceeding or is substantially successful on the merits in the outcome of the proceeding.

Under Section 162 of the BCBCA, and subject to Section 163 of the BCBCA, we may pay, as they are incurred in advance of the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party in respect of the proceeding, provided that we must not make such payments unless we first receive from the eligible party a written undertaking that, if it is ultimately determined that the payment of expenses is prohibited under Section 163 of the BCBCA, the eligible party will repay the amounts advanced.

Under Section 163 of the BCBCA, we must not indemnify an eligible party against eligible penalties to which the eligible party is or may be liable or pay the expenses of an eligible party in respect of that proceeding under Sections 160, 161 or 162 of the BCBCA, as the case may be, if any of the following circumstances apply:

 

   

if the indemnity or payment is made under an earlier agreement to indemnify or pay expenses and, at the time that the agreement to indemnify or pay expenses was made, we were prohibited from giving the indemnity or paying the expenses by our memorandum or articles;

 

   

if the indemnity or payment is made otherwise than under an earlier agreement to indemnify or pay expenses and, at the time that the indemnity or payment is made, we are prohibited from giving the indemnity or paying the expenses by our memorandum or articles;

 

   

if, in relation to the subject matter of the eligible proceeding, the eligible party did not act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of our company or the associated corporation, as the case may be; or

 

   

in the case of an eligible proceeding other than a civil proceeding, if the eligible party did not have reasonable grounds for believing that the eligible party’s conduct in respect of which the proceeding was brought was lawful.

If an eligible proceeding is brought against an eligible party by or on behalf of our company or by or on behalf of an associated corporation, we must not either indemnify the eligible party against eligible penalties to which the eligible party is or may be liable, or pay the expenses of the eligible party under Sections 160, 161 or 162 of the BCBCA, as the case may be, in respect of the proceeding.

Under Section 164 of the BCBCA, and despite any other provision of Part 5, Division 5 of the BCBCA and whether or not payment of expenses or indemnification has been sought, authorized or declined under Part 5, Division 5 of the BCBCA, on application of our company or an eligible party, the Supreme Court of British Columbia may do one or more of the following:

 

   

order us to indemnify an eligible party against any liability incurred by the eligible party in respect of an eligible proceeding;

 

   

order us to pay some or all of the expenses incurred by an eligible party in respect of an eligible proceeding;

 

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order the enforcement of, or payment under, an agreement of indemnification entered into by us;

 

   

order us to pay some or all of the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by any person in obtaining an order under Section 164 of the BCBCA; or

 

   

make any other order the court considers appropriate.

Section 165 of the BCBCA provides that we may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of an eligible party or the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of the eligible party against any liability that may be incurred by reason of the eligible party being or having been a director or officer of, or holding or having held a position equivalent to that of a director or officer of, our company or an associated corporation.

Under our articles, and subject to the BCBCA, we must indemnify our directors, former directors or alternate directors and his or her heirs and legal personal representatives against all eligible penalties to which such person is or may be liable, and we must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in respect of that proceeding. Each director and alternate director is deemed to have contracted with our company on the terms of the indemnity contained in our articles.

Under our articles, and subject to the BCBCA, we may agree to indemnify and may indemnify any person (including an eligible party) against eligible penalties and pay expenses incurred in connection with the performance of services by that person for us. We have entered into indemnity agreements with our directors and certain of our officers.

Pursuant to our articles, the failure of an eligible party to comply with the BCBCA or our articles does not, of itself, invalidate any indemnity to which he or she is entitled under our articles.

Under our articles, we may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any person (or his or her heirs or legal personal representatives) who:

 

   

is or was our director, alternate director, officer, employee or agent;

 

   

is or was a director, alternate director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation at a time when the corporation is or was our affiliate;

 

   

at our request, is or was a director, alternate director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation or of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity; or

 

   

at our request, holds or held a position equivalent to that of a director, alternate director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity;

 

   

against any liability incurred by him or her as such director, alternate director, officer, employee or agent or person who holds or held such equivalent position.

In addition, we have entered into an indemnification agreement with each of our directors and our Chief Financial Officer, which requires us to indemnify them.

Item 15. Recent sales of unregistered securities

In the three years preceding the filing of this registration statement, we have issued the following securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933:

 

   

On May 5, 2017, we issued the remaining 500,000 common shares, valued at C$70,000, due to our Chief Scientific Officer, pursuant to an October 28, 2015 purchase agreement to acquire

 

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certain patents from him. The securities were exempt from registration under the Securities Act as they were issued outside the U.S. pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act.

 

   

On May 31, 2017, we completed a public offering in Canada (“May-2017 Financing”) of 12,788,000 units (“May-2017 Units”), at a price of C$0.45 per May-2017 Unit for gross proceeds of C$5,754,601. Each May-2017 Unit consisted of one common share and one-half non-transferable share purchase warrant (a “May-2017 Warrant”), or an aggregate of 6,394,000 full May-2017 Warrants. Each full May-2017 Warrant was exercisable by the holder to acquire one additional common share at a price of C$0.65 for a period of twenty-four (24) months expiring on May 31, 2019. The May-2017 Warrants were only exercisable on a net cashless basis, based on the five-day volume-weighted average trading price of our common shares ending on the date immediately preceding the date of exercise. The underwriters for this financing were Canaccord Genuity Corp., Eight Capital and Roth Capital Partners, LLC. The underwriters’ commissions on the gross proceeds received by us from the sale of May-2017 Units sold pursuant to the May-2017 Financing included cash of C$370,132 and 535,620 warrants (“Agent Warrants”). Each Agent Warrant was exercisable in whole or in part at an exercise price of C$0.45 for a period of 12 months expiring on May 31, 2018. The securities were exempt from registration under the Securities Act as they were either issued outside the U.S. pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act or were issued to two U.S. purchasers pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act in that such sales did not involve a public offering.

 

   

During the year ending June 30, 2017, we issued an aggregate 12,325,750 common shares pursuant to the exercise of share purchase warrants at a weighted average exercise price of C$0.14 per share or proceeds of C$1,678,458. The securities were exempt from registration under the Securities Act as they were issued outside the U.S. pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act.

 

   

During the year ending June 30, 2017, we issued an aggregate 875,000 common shares pursuant to the exercise of stock options at a weighted average exercise price of C$0.17 per share or proceeds of C$152,625. The securities were exempt from registration under the Securities Act as they were issued outside the U.S. pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act.

 

   

On January 3, 2018, we completed a non-brokered private placement (“Jan-2018 Financing”) for 13,428,571 units (“Jan-2018 Units”), at a price of C$0.70 per Jan-2018 Unit for gross proceeds of C$9,400,000. Each Jan-2018 Unit consisted of one common share and one non-transferable share purchase warrant (a “Jan-2018 Warrant”). Each Jan-2018 Warrant was exercisable by the holder to acquire one additional common share at a price of C$1.25 for a period of eighteen (18) months expiring on July 3, 2019. Share issue costs from the sale of Jan-2018 Units of $1,200,847 is comprised of $496,040 in finders’ fees, the non-cash fair value of $554,183 for 433,556 warrants (“January-2018 Agent Warrants”) issued to finders and $150,624 of other transaction costs. The January-2018 Agent Warrants have identical terms as the January-2018 Warrants described above. Of the $496,040 in finders’ fees, $32,903 was settled on February 9, 2018 via the issuance of 35,718 common shares at the C$1.17 closing price on the date of issuance of these shares. The issuance of the securities was exempt from registration under the Securities Act as the securities were either issued outside the U.S. pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act or were issued to two U.S. purchasers pursuant to Regulation D under the Securities Act in that such sales did not involve a public offering. The finder’s fees paid in respect of sales to U.S. purchasers were paid to a registered broker-dealer.

 

   

On June 21, 2018, we completed a public offering in Canada (“June-2018 Financing”) of 16,611,244 units (“June-2018 Units”), at a price of C$0.90 per June-2018 Unit for gross proceeds of $11,232,247 (C$14,950,120). Each June-2018 Unit consists of one common share and one share purchase warrant (a “June-2018 Warrant”), or an aggregate of 16,611,244 full June-2018 Warrants. Each full June-2018 Warrant is exercisable by the holder to acquire one additional

 

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common share at a price of C$1.25 for a period of twenty-four (24) months expiring on June 21, 2020. The June-2018 Warrants trade on the TSX under the symbol “IN.WT”. The underwriter for this transaction was Eight Capital. Share issue costs from the sale of June-2018 Units of $1,499,625 is comprised of $748,128 in underwriter’s commission, the non-cash fair value of $415,626 for 1,106,397 warrants (“June-2018 Agent Warrants”) issued to the underwriter and $335,871 of other transaction costs. Each June-2018 Agent Warrant is exercisable in whole or in part at an exercise price of C$1.05 for a period of twenty-four (24) months expiring on June 21, 2020. The securities were exempt from registration under the Securities Act as they were issued outside the U.S. pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act.

 

   

During the year ending June 30, 2018, we issued an aggregate 5,895,775 common shares pursuant to the exercise of 8,232,095 share purchase warrants at a weighted average exercise price of C$0.44 per share. Included in the total number of share purchase warrants exercised were 3,710,984 share purchase warrants, with a weighted average exercise price of C$0.19 each, that were exercised for cash and 4,521,111 share purchase warrants with an exercise price of C$0.65 each that, pursuant to the terms of a May 31, 2017 financing, were exercised on a net cashless basis, based on the five-day volume-weighted average trading price of our common shares on the stock exchange that our common shares were trading on at that time (either the TSX or CSE) ending on the date immediately preceding the date of exercise. The exercise of these 4,521,111 share purchase warrants resulted in the issuance of 2,184,791 common shares but, as they were exercised on a net cashless basis, no cash was received. The securities were exempt from registration under the Securities Act as they were either issued outside the U.S. pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act or were issued to a total of eight U.S. purchasers, upon exercise of investor or agent warrants issued in either the July-2016 Financing or May-2017 Financing, pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act in that such sales did not involve a public offering.

 

   

During the year ending June 30, 2018, we issued an aggregate 7,230,295 common shares pursuant to the exercise of 7,345,000 stock options at a weighted average exercise price of C$0.23 per share. Included in the total number of stock options exercised were 300,000 stock options with an exercise price of C$0.195 per share that, pursuant to the terms of a settlement agreement with the stock option holder, were exercised on a net cashless basis, based on the C$0.51 per common share closing price of our common shares on the CSE on the date immediately preceding the date of exercise. The exercise of these 300,000 stock options resulted in the issuance of 185,295 common shares. The securities were exempt from registration under the Securities Act as they were issued outside the U.S. pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act or pursuant to Rule 701 under the Securities Act, in that they were offered and sold either pursuant to written compensatory plans or pursuant to a written contract relating to compensation.

 

   

During the year ending June 30, 2019, we issued an aggregate 7,564 common shares pursuant to the exercise of 35,000 share purchase warrants. The 35,000 share purchase warrants that were exercised had an exercise price of C$0.65 each and, pursuant to the terms of a May 31, 2017 financing, were exercised on a net cashless basis, based on the five-day volume-weighted average trading price of our common shares on the TSX ending on the date immediately preceding the date of exercise. The exercise of these 35,000 share purchase warrants resulted in the issuance of 7,564 common shares but, as they were exercised on a net cashless basis, no cash was received. The issuance of the securities was exempt from registration under the Securities Act as they were issued outside the U.S. pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act.

 

   

During the year ending June 30, 2019, we issued an aggregate 1,425,000 common shares pursuant to the exercise of 1,425,000 stock options at a weighted average exercise price of C$0.14 per share. The issuance of the securities was exempt from registration under the Securities Act as they were issued outside the U.S. pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act.

 

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Item 16. Exhibits and financial statement schedules

 

  (a)

Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description of Exhibit

1.1*    Underwriting Agreement
3.1    Amended and Restated Articles
5.1    Opinion of Farris LLP
8.1    Opinion of Dorsey & Whitney LLP
10.1    InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2017 Stock Option Plan
10.2    Form of Stock Option Agreement pursuant to the InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2017 Stock Option Plan
10.3    Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, dated April 8, 2020, between Eric A. Adams and InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.
10.4    Employment Agreement, dated March 8, 2018, between Eric Hsu and InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.
10.4.1    April 13, 2018 salary adjustment letter to Eric Hsu
10.4.2    September 1, 2018 salary adjustment letter to Eric Hsu
10.4.3    March 4, 2019 salary adjustment letter to Eric Hsu
10.5    Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, dated April 8, 2020, between Alexandra Mancini and InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.
10.6    Executive Employment Agreement, dated September 20, 2018, between Michael Woudenberg and InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.
10.7    Executive Employment Agreement, dated July 9, 2019, between Bruce S. Colwill and InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.
10.8**    Office Premises Lease, dated January 14, 2019, between InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. and 815 West Hastings Ltd.
10.9    Share Purchase Agreement, dated May 10, 2014, among Meridex Software Corporation, Biogen Sciences Inc. and the Shareholders of Biogen Sciences Inc.
10.10    Section 85 Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of October 28, 2015, between Dr. Sazzad Hossain and InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.
10.11    Assignment of Intellectual Property, dated as of October 28, 2015, between Dr. Sazzad Hossain and InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.
10.12**    Technology Assignment Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2017, between The University of British Columbia and InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.
10.13    Amendment No. 1 to Technology Assignment Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2017, between The University of British Columbia and InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.
10.14**    Collaborative Research Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2017, between The University of British Columbia and InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.
10.15**    Amended and Restated Collaborative Research Agreement, dated as of August 16, 2018, between The University of British Columbia and InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.
23.1    Consent of KPMG LLP, independent registered accounting firm

 

 

*

To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference from a Form 8-K to be filed in connection with the offering of the securities.

**

Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Rule 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K.

 

  (b)

Financial Statement Schedules

None

 

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Item 17. Undertakings

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on June 19, 2020.

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
By:   /s/ Eric A. Adams
  Name: Eric A. Adams
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

POWERS OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Eric A. Adams and Bruce Colwill, and each of them, either of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by the registration statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, and all post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated and June 19, 2020.

 

Signature

     

Title

/s/ Eric A. Adams

   

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

Eric A. Adams  

/s/ Bruce Colwill

   

Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

Bruce Colwill  

/s/ William J. Garner

   

Director (Chairman of the Board of Directors)

William J. Garner  

/s/ Catherine A. Sazdanoff

   

Director

Catherine A. Sazdanoff  

 

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Signature

     

Title

/s/ Adam Cutler

   

Director

Adam Cutler  

/s/ Andrew Hull

   

Director

Andrew Hull  

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 6(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned has signed this registration statement, solely in its capacity as the duly authorized representative of InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. in the United States, on June 19, 2020.

 

CATHERINE SAZDANOFF
/s/ Catherine Sazdanoff

 

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Exhibit 3.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incorporation number: BC0234916

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

(the “Company”)

 

ARTICLES

1. INTERPRETATION 1
2. SHARES AND SHARE CERTIFICATES 2
3. ISSUE OF SHARES 3
4. SHARE REGISTERS 4
5. SHARE TRANSFERS 4
6. TRANSMISSION OF SHARES 6
7. ACQUISITION OF COMPANY’S SHARES 6
8. BORROWING POWERS 6
9. ALTERATIONS 7
10. MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS 8
11. PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERs 10
12. VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS 13
13. DIRECTORS 17
14. ELECTION AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS 18
15. ALTERNATE DIRECTORS 23
16. POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS 24
17. INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS 24
18. PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS 25
19. EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES 28
20. OFFICERS 29
21. INDEMNIFICATION 30
22. DIVIDENDS 31
23. ACCOUNTING RECORDS AND AUDITOR 32
24. NOTICES 32
25. SEAL 34
26. PROHIBITIONS 35
27. SPECIAL RIGHTS OR RESTRICTIONS ATTACHING TO THE COMMON SHARES 35
28. SPECIAL RIGHTS OR RESTRICTIONS ATTACHING TO THE PREFERRED SHARES 36

 

 

 

 

1. INTERPRETATION

 

1.1 Definitions

 

In these Articles, unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(1) appropriate person” has the meaning assigned in the Securities Transfer Act;

 

(2) board of directors”, “directors” and “board” mean the directors or sole director of the Company for the time being;

 

(3) Business Corporations Act” means the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) from time to time in force and all amendments thereto and includes all regulations and amendments thereto made pursuant to that Act;

 

(4) Interpretation Act” means the Interpretation Act (British Columbia) from time to time in force and all amendments thereto and includes all regulations and amendments thereto made pursuant to that Act;

 

(5) legal personal representative” means the personal or other legal representative of a shareholder;

 

(6) protected purchaser” has the meaning assigned in the Securities Transfer Act;

 

(7) registered address” of a shareholder means the shareholder’s address as recorded in the central securities register;

 

(8) seal” means the seal of the Company, if any;

 

(9) securities legislation” means statutes concerning the regulation of securities markets and trading in securities and the regulations, rules, forms and schedules under those statutes, all as amended from time to time, and the blanket rulings and orders, as amended from time to time, issued by the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities appointed under or pursuant to those statutes; “Canadian securities legislation” means the securities legislation in any province or territory of Canada and includes the Securities Act (British Columbia); and “U.S. securities legislation” means the securities legislation in the federal jurisdiction of the United States and in any state of the United States and includes the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;

 

(10) Securities Transfer Act” means the Securities Transfer Act (British Columbia) from time to time in force and all amendments thereto and includes all regulations and amendments thereto made pursuant to that Act.

 

1.2 Business Corporations Act and Interpretation Act Definitions Applicable

 

The definitions in the Business Corporations Act and the definitions and rules of construction in the Interpretation Act, with the necessary changes, so far as applicable, and unless the context requires otherwise, apply to these Articles as if they were an enactment. If there is a conflict or inconsistency between a definition in the Business Corporations Act and a definition or rule in the Interpretation Act relating to a term used in these Articles, the definition in the Business Corporations Act will prevail in relation to the use of the term in these Articles. If there is a conflict or inconsistency between these Articles and the Business Corporations Act, the Business Corporations Act will prevail.

 

 
   - 2 -  

 

2. SHARES AND SHARE CERTIFICATES

 

2.1 Authorized Share Structure

 

The authorized share structure of the Company consists of shares of the class or classes and series, if any, described in the Notice of Articles of the Company.

 

2.2 Form of Share Certificate

 

Each share certificate issued by the Company must comply with, and be signed as required by, the Business Corporations Act.

 

2.3 Shareholder Entitled to Certificate or Acknowledgment

 

Unless the shares of which the shareholder is the registered owner are uncertificated shares, each shareholder is entitled upon request and without charge, to (a) one share certificate representing the shares of each class or series of shares registered in the shareholder’s name or (b) a non-transferable written acknowledgment (an “Acknowledgment”) of the shareholder’s right to obtain such a share certificate, provided that in respect of a share held jointly by several persons, the Company is not bound to issue more than one share certificate or Acknowledgment and delivery of a share certificate or Acknowledgment to one of several joint shareholders or to a duly authorized agent of one of the joint shareholders will be sufficient delivery to all.

 

2.4 Delivery by Mail

 

Any share certificate or Acknowledgment of a shareholder’s right to obtain a share certificate may be sent to the shareholder by mail at the shareholder’s registered address and neither the Company nor any director, officer or agent of the Company is liable for any loss to the shareholder because the share certificate or acknowledgement is lost in the mail or stolen.

 

2.5 Replacement of Worn Out or Defaced Certificate or Acknowledgement

 

If the directors are satisfied that a share certificate or Acknowledgment of the shareholder’s right to obtain a share certificate is worn out or defaced, they must, on production to them of the share certificate or Acknowledgment, as the case may be, and on such other terms, if any, as they think fit:

 

(1) order the share certificate or Acknowledgment, as the case may be, to be cancelled; and

 

(2) issue a replacement share certificate or Acknowledgment, as the case may be.

 

2.6 Replacement of Lost, Destroyed or Wrongfully Taken Certificate

 

If a person entitled to a share certificate claims that the share certificate has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company must issue a new share certificate, if that person:

 

(1) so requests before the Company has notice that the share certificate has been acquired by a protected purchaser;

 

(2) provides the Company with an indemnity bond sufficient in the Company’s judgment to protect the Company from any loss that the Company may suffer by issuing a new certificate; and

 

(3) satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Company.

 

A person entitled to a share certificate may not assert against the Company a claim for a new share certificate where a share certificate has been lost, apparently destroyed or wrongfully taken if that person fails to notify the Company of that fact within a reasonable time after that person has notice of it and the Company registers a transfer of the shares represented by the certificate before receiving a notice of the loss, apparent destruction or wrongful taking of the share certificate.

 

 
   - 3 -  

 

2.7 Recovery of New Share Certificate

 

If, after the issue of a new share certificate, a protected purchaser of the original share certificate presents the original share certificate for the registration of transfer, then in addition to any rights on the indemnity bond, the Company may recover the new share certificate from a person to whom it was issued or any person taking under that person other than a protected purchaser.

 

2.8 Splitting Share Certificates

 

If a shareholder surrenders a share certificate to the Company with a written request that the Company issue in the shareholder’s name two or more share certificates, each representing a specified number of shares and in the aggregate representing the same number of shares as represented by the share certificate so surrendered, the Company must cancel the surrendered share certificate and issue replacement share certificates in accordance with that request.

 

2.9 Certificate Fee

 

There must be paid to the Company, in relation to the issue of any share certificate under Articles 2.5, 2.6 or 2.8, the amount, if any and which must not exceed the amount prescribed under the Business Corporations Act, determined by the directors.

 

2.10 Recognition of Trusts

 

Except as required by law or statute or these Articles, no person will be recognized by the Company as holding any share upon any trust, and the Company is not bound by or compelled in any way to recognize (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any share or fraction of a share or (except as required by law or statute or these Articles or as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction) any other rights in respect of any share except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the shareholder.

 

3. ISSUE OF SHARES

 

3.1 Directors Authorized

 

Subject to the Business Corporations Act and the rights, if any, of the holders of issued shares of the Company, the Company may issue, allot, sell or otherwise dispose of the unissued shares, and issued shares held by the Company, at the times, to the persons, including directors, in the manner, on the terms and conditions and for the issue prices (including any premium at which shares with par value may be issued) that the directors may determine. The issue price for a share with par value must be equal to or greater than the par value of the share.

 

3.2 Commissions and Discounts

 

The Company may at any time pay a reasonable commission or allow a reasonable discount to any person in consideration of that person purchasing or agreeing to purchase shares of the Company from the Company or any other person or procuring or agreeing to procure purchasers for shares of the Company.

 

3.3 Brokerage

 

The Company may pay such brokerage fee or other consideration as may be lawful for or in connection with the sale or placement of its securities.

 

 
   - 4 -  

 

3.4 Conditions of Issue

 

Except as provided for by the Business Corporations Act, no share may be issued until it is fully paid. A share is fully paid when:

 

(1) consideration is provided to the Company for the issue of the share by one or more of the following:

 

(i) past services performed for the Company;

 

(ii) property;

 

(iii) money; and

 

(2) the value of the consideration received by the Company equals or exceeds the issue price set for the share under Article 3.1.

 

3.5 Share Purchase Warrants and Rights

 

Subject to the Business Corporations Act, the Company may issue share purchase warrants, options and rights upon such terms and conditions as the directors determine, which share purchase warrants, options and rights may be issued alone or in conjunction with debentures, debenture stock, bonds, shares or any other securities issued or created by the Company from time to time.

 

4. SHARE REGISTERS

 

4.1 Central Securities Register

 

As required by and subject to the Business Corporations Act, the Company must maintain a central securities register. The directors may, subject to the Business Corporations Act, appoint an agent to maintain the central securities register. The directors may also appoint one or more agents, including the agent which keeps the central securities register, as transfer agent for its shares or any class or series of its shares, as the case may be, and the same or another agent as registrar for its shares or such class or series of its shares, as the case may be. The directors may terminate such appointment of any agent at any time and may appoint another agent in its place.

 

4.2 Closing Register

 

The Company must not at any time close its central securities register.

 

5. SHARE TRANSFERS

 

5.1 Registering Transfers

 

Subject to the Business Corporations Act and the Securities Transfer Act, a transfer of a share of the Company must not be registered unless the Company or the transfer agent or registrar for the class or series of share to be transferred has received:

 

(1) in the case of a share certificate that has been issued by the Company in respect of the share to be transferred, that share certificate and a written instrument of transfer (which may be on a separate document or endorsed on the share certificate) made by the shareholder or other appropriate person or by an agent who has actual authority to act on behalf of that person;

 

(2) in the case of an Acknowledgment, as defined in Article 2.3, in respect of the share to be transferred, a written instrument of transfer that directs that the transfer of the shares be registered, made by the shareholder or other appropriate person or by an agent who has actual authority to act on behalf of that person;

 

 
   - 5 -  

 

 

(3) in the case of a share that is an uncertificated share, a written instrument of transfer that directs that the transfer of the share be registered, made by the shareholder or other appropriate person or by an agent who has actual authority to act on behalf of that person; and

 

(4) such other evidence, if any, as the Company or the transfer agent or registrar for the class or series of share to be transferred may require to prove the title of the transferor or the transferor’s right to transfer the share, that the written instrument of transfer is genuine and authorized and that the transfer is rightful or to a protected purchaser.

 

5.2 Form of Instrument of Transfer

 

The instrument of transfer in respect of any share of the Company must be either in the form, if any, on the back of the Company’s share certificates or in any other form that may be approved by the directors or the transfer agent for the class or series of shares to be transferred.

 

5.3 Transferor Remains Shareholder

 

Except to the extent that the Business Corporations Act otherwise provides, the transferor of shares is deemed to remain the holder of the shares until the name of the transferee is entered in a securities register of the Company in respect of the transfer.

 

5.4 Signing of Instrument of Transfer

 

If a shareholder, or his or her duly authorized attorney, signs an instrument of transfer in respect of shares registered in the name of the shareholder, the signed instrument of transfer constitutes a complete and sufficient authority to the Company and its directors, officers and agents to register the number of shares specified in the instrument of transfer or specified in any other manner, or, if no number is specified, all the shares represented by the share certificates or set out in the Acknowledgment, as defined in Article 2.3, deposited with the instrument of transfer:

 

(1) in the name of the person named as transferee in that instrument of transfer; or

 

(2) if no person is named as transferee in that instrument of transfer, in the name of the person on whose behalf the instrument is deposited for the purpose of having the transfer registered.

 

5.5 Enquiry as to Title Not Required

 

Neither the Company nor any director, officer or agent of the Company is bound to inquire into the title of the person named in the instrument of transfer as transferee or, if no person is named as transferee in the instrument of transfer, of the person on whose behalf the instrument is deposited for the purpose of having the transfer registered or is liable for any claim related to registering the transfer by the shareholder or by any intermediate owner or holder of the shares, of any interest in the shares, of any share certificate representing such shares or any Acknowledgment, as defined in Article 2.3, in respect of a share certificate for such shares.

 

5.6 Transfer Fee

 

There must be paid to the Company, in relation to the registration of any transfer, the amount, if any, determined by the directors.

 

 
   - 6 -  

 

6. TRANSMISSION OF SHARES

 

6.1 Legal Personal Representative Recognized on Death

 

In the case of the death of a shareholder, the legal personal representative of the shareholder, or in the case of shares registered in the shareholder’s name and the name of another person in joint tenancy, the surviving joint holder, will be the only person recognized by the Company as having any title to the shareholder’s interest in the shares. Before recognizing a person as a legal personal representative of a shareholder, the directors may require the original grant of probate or letters of administration or a court certified copy of them or the original or a court certified or authenticated copy of the grant of representation, will, order or other instrument or other evidence of the death under which title to the shares or securities is claimed to vest.

 

6.2 Rights of Legal Personal Representative

 

The legal personal representative of a shareholder has the same rights, privileges and obligations that attach to the shares held by the shareholder, including the right to transfer the shares in accordance with these Articles, if appropriate evidence of appointment or incumbency within the meaning of s. 87 of the Securities Transfer Act has been deposited with the Company. This Article 6.2 does not apply in the case of the death of a shareholder with respect to shares registered in the shareholder’s name and the name of another person in joint tenancy.

 

7. ACQUISITION OF COMPANY’S SHARES

 

7.1 Company Authorized to Purchase or Otherwise Acquire Shares

 

Subject to Article 7.2, the special rights or restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series of shares and the Business Corporations Act, the Company may, if authorized by the directors, purchase or otherwise acquire any of its shares at the price and upon the terms determined by the directors.

 

7.2 No Purchase, Redemption or Other Acquisition When Insolvent

 

The Company must not make a payment or provide any other consideration to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its shares if there are reasonable grounds for believing that:

 

(1) the Company is insolvent; or

 

(2) making the payment or providing the consideration would render the Company insolvent.

 

7.3 Sale and Voting of Purchased, Redeemed or Otherwise Acquired Shares

 

If the Company retains a share redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired by it, the Company may sell, gift or otherwise dispose of the share, but, while such share is held by the Company, it:

 

(1) is not entitled to vote the share at a meeting of its shareholders;

 

(2) must not pay a dividend in respect of the share; and

 

(3) must not make any other distribution in respect of the share.

 

8. BORROWING POWERS

 

The Company, if authorized by the directors, may:

 

(1) borrow money in the manner and amount, on the security, from the sources and on the terms and conditions that the directors consider appropriate;

 

 
   - 7 -  

 

(2) issue bonds, debentures and other debt obligations either outright or as security for any liability or obligation of the Company or any other person and at such discounts or premiums and on such other terms as the directors consider appropriate;

 

(3) guarantee the repayment of money by any other person or the performance of any obligation of any other person; and

 

(4) mortgage, charge, whether by way of specific or floating charge, grant a security interest in, or give other security on, the whole or any part of the present and future assets and undertaking of the Company.

 

9. ALTERATIONS

 

9.1 Alteration of Authorized Share Structure

 

Subject to Article 9.2 and the Business Corporations Act, the Company may:

 

(1) by directors’ resolution:

 

(i) subdivide or consolidate all or any of its unissued, or fully paid issued, shares; or

 

(ii) increase, reduce or eliminate the maximum number of shares that the Company is authorized to issue out of any class or series of shares or establish a maximum number of shares that the Company is authorized to issue out of any class or series of shares for which no maximum is established;

 

and, if applicable, alter its Articles and Notice of Articles accordingly; or

 

(2) by ordinary resolution:

 

(i) create one or more classes or series of shares or, if none of the shares of a class or series of shares are allotted or issued, eliminate that class or series of shares; or

 

(ii) if the Company is authorized to issue shares of a class of shares with par value:

 

(A) decrease the par value of those shares; or

 

(B) if none of the shares of that class of shares are allotted or issued, increase the par value of those shares;

 

and, if applicable, alter its Articles and Notice of Articles accordingly; or

 

(3) by special resolution:

 

(i) change all or any of its unissued, or fully paid issued, shares with par value into shares without par value or any of its unissued shares without par value into shares with par value;

 

(ii) alter the identifying name of any of its shares; or

 

(iii) otherwise alter its shares or authorized share structure when required or permitted to do so by the Business Corporations Act;

 

and, if applicable, alter its Articles and Notice of Articles accordingly.

 

 
   - 8 -  

 

9.2 Special Rights or Restrictions

 

Subject to the Business Corporations Act, the Company may by special resolution:

 

(1) create special rights or restrictions for, and attach those special rights or restrictions to, the shares of any class or series of shares, whether or not any or all of those shares have been issued; or

 

(2) vary or delete any special rights or restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series of shares, whether or not any or all of those shares have been issued;

 

and, if applicable, alter its Articles and Notice of Articles accordingly.

 

9.3 Change of Name

 

The Company may by resolution of the directors authorize an alteration to its Notice of Articles in order to change its name and may adopt or change any translation of that name.

 

9.4 Other Alterations

 

If the Business Corporations Act does not specify the type of resolution and these Articles do not specify another type of resolution, the Company may by special resolution alter these Articles.

 

10. MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

10.1 Annual General Meetings

 

Unless an annual general meeting is deferred or waived in accordance with the Business Corporations Act, the Company must hold its first annual general meeting within 18 months after the date on which it was incorporated or otherwise recognized, and after that must hold an annual general meeting at least once in each calendar year and not more than 15 months after the last annual reference date at such time and place as may be determined by the directors.

 

10.2 Resolution Instead of Annual General Meeting

 

If all the shareholders who are entitled to vote at an annual general meeting consent by a unanimous resolution to all of the business that is required to be transacted at that annual general meeting, the annual general meeting is deemed to have been held on the date of the unanimous resolution. The shareholders must, in any unanimous resolution passed under this Article 10.2, select as the Company’s annual reference date a date that would be appropriate for the holding of the applicable annual general meeting.

 

10.3 Calling of Meetings of Shareholders

 

The directors may, at any time, call a meeting of shareholders to be held at such time and place as may be determined by the directors.

 

10.4 Notice for Meetings of Shareholders

 

The Company must send notice of the date, time and location of any meeting of shareholders (including, without limitation, any notice specifying the intention to propose a special resolution or a special separate resolution and any notice to consider approving an amalgamation into a foreign jurisdiction, an arrangement or the adoption of an amalgamation agreement, and any notice of a general meeting, class meeting or series meeting), in the manner provided in these Articles, or in such other manner, if any, as may be prescribed by ordinary resolution (whether previous notice of the resolution has been given or not), to each shareholder entitled to attend the meeting, to each director and to the auditor of the Company, unless these Articles otherwise provide, at least the following number of days before the meeting:

 

 
   - 9 -  

 

(1) if and for so long as the Company is a public company, 21 days;

 

(2) otherwise, 10 days.

 

10.5 Notice of Resolution to Which Shareholders May Dissent

 

The Company must send to each of its shareholders, whether or not their shares carry the right to vote, a notice of any meeting of shareholders at which a resolution entitling shareholders to dissent is to be considered specifying the date of the meeting and containing a statement advising of the right to send a notice of dissent together with a copy of the proposed resolution at least the following number of days before the meeting:

 

(1) if and for so long as the Company is a public company, 21 days;

 

(2) otherwise, 10 days.

 

10.6 Record Date for Notice

 

The directors may set a date as the record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of any meeting of shareholders. The record date must not precede the date on which the meeting is to be held by more than two months or, in the case of a general meeting requisitioned by shareholders under the Business Corporations Act, by more than four months. The record date must not precede the date on which the meeting is held by fewer than:

 

(1) if and for so long as the Company is a public company, 21 days;

 

(2) otherwise, 10 days.

 

If no record date is set, the record date is 5 p.m. on the day immediately preceding the first date on which the notice is sent or, if no notice is sent, the beginning of the meeting.

 

10.7 Record Date for Voting

 

The directors may set a date as the record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders. The record date must not precede the date on which the meeting is to be held by more than two months or, in the case of a general meeting requisitioned by shareholders under the Business Corporations Act, by more than four months. If no record date is set, the record date is 5 p.m. on the day immediately preceding the first date on which the notice is sent or, if no notice is sent, the beginning of the meeting.

 

10.8 Failure to Give Notice and Waiver of Notice

 

The accidental omission to send notice of any meeting of shareholders to, or the non-receipt of any notice by, any of the persons entitled to notice does not invalidate any proceedings at that meeting. Any person entitled to notice of a meeting of shareholders may, in writing or otherwise, waive that entitlement or agree to reduce the period of that notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting of shareholders is a waiver of entitlement to notice of the meeting unless that person attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called.

 

10.9 Notice of Special Business at Meetings of Shareholders

 

If a meeting of shareholders is to consider special business within the meaning of Article 11.1, the notice of meeting must:

 

(1) state the general nature of the special business; and

 

 
   - 10 -  

 

(2) if the special business includes considering, approving, ratifying, adopting or authorizing any document or the signing of or giving of effect to any document, have attached to it a copy of the document or state that a copy of the document will be available for inspection by shareholders:

 

(i) at the Company’s records office, or at such other reasonably accessible location in British Columbia as is specified in the notice; and

 

(ii) during statutory business hours on any one or more specified days before the day set for the holding of the meeting.

 

11. PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

11.1 Special Business

 

At a meeting of shareholders, the following business is special business:

 

(1) at a meeting of shareholders that is not an annual general meeting, all business is special business except business relating to the conduct of or voting at the meeting;

 

(2) at an annual general meeting, all business is special business except for the following:

 

(i) business relating to the conduct of or voting at the meeting;

 

(ii) consideration of any financial statements of the Company presented to the meeting;

 

(iii) consideration of any reports of the directors or auditor;

 

(iv) the setting or changing of the number of directors;

 

(v) the election or appointment of directors;

 

(vi) the appointment of an auditor;

 

(vii) the setting of the remuneration of an auditor;

 

(viii) business arising out of a report of the directors not requiring the passing of a special resolution or an exceptional resolution;

 

(ix) any other business which, under these Articles or the Business Corporations Act, may be transacted at a meeting of shareholders without prior notice of the business being given to the shareholders.

 

11.2 Special Majority

 

The majority of votes required for the Company to pass a special resolution at a general meeting of shareholders is two-thirds of the votes cast on the resolution.

 

11.3 Quorum

 

Subject to the special rights or restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series of shares and to Article 11.4, the quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of shareholders is two persons who are, or who represent by proxy, shareholders who, in the aggregate, hold at least 5% of the issued shares entitled to be voted at the meeting.

 

 
   - 11 -  

 

11.4 One Shareholder May Constitute Quorum

 

If there is only one shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders:

 

(1) the quorum is one person who is, or who represents by proxy, that shareholder, and

 

(2) that shareholder, present in person or by proxy, may constitute the meeting.

 

11.5 Persons Entitled to Attend Meeting

 

In addition to those persons who are entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders, the only other persons entitled to be present at the meeting are the directors, the president (if any), the secretary (if any), the assistant secretary (if any), any lawyer for the Company, the auditor of the Company, any persons invited to be present at the meeting by the directors or by the chair of the meeting and any persons entitled or required under the Business Corporations Act or these Articles to be present at the meeting; but if any of those persons does attend the meeting, that person is not to be counted in the quorum and is not entitled to vote at the meeting unless that person is a shareholder or proxy holder entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

11.6 Requirement of Quorum

 

No business, other than the election of a chair of the meeting and the adjournment of the meeting, may be transacted at any meeting of shareholders unless a quorum of shareholders entitled to vote is present at the commencement of the meeting, but such quorum need not be present throughout the meeting.

 

11.7 Lack of Quorum

 

If, within one-half hour from the time set for the holding of a meeting of shareholders, a quorum is not present:

 

(1) in the case of a general meeting requisitioned by shareholders, the meeting is dissolved, and

 

(2) in the case of any other meeting of shareholders, the meeting stands adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and place.

 

11.8 Lack of Quorum at Succeeding Meeting

 

If, at the meeting to which the meeting referred to in Article 11.7(2) was adjourned, a quorum is not present within one-half hour from the time set for the holding of the meeting, the person or persons present and being, or representing by proxy, one or more shareholders entitled to attend and vote at the meeting constitute a quorum.

 

11.9 Chair

 

The following individual is entitled to preside as chair at a meeting of shareholders:

 

(1) the chair of the board, if any; or

 

(2) if the chair of the board is absent or unwilling to act as chair of the meeting, the president, if any.

 

11.10 Selection of Alternate Chair

 

If, at any meeting of shareholders, there is no chair of the board or president present within 15 minutes after the time set for holding the meeting, or if the chair of the board and the president are unwilling to act as chair of the meeting, or if the chair of the board and the president have advised the secretary, if any, or any director present at the meeting, that they will not be present at the meeting, the directors present must choose one of their number to be chair of the meeting or if all of the directors present decline to take the chair or fail to so choose or if no director is present, the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting who are present in person or by proxy may choose any person present at the meeting to chair the meeting.

 

 
   - 12 -  

 

11.11 Adjournments

 

The chair of a meeting of shareholders may, and if so directed by the meeting must, adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business may be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place.

 

11.12 Notice of Adjourned Meeting

 

It is not necessary to give any notice of an adjourned meeting of shareholders or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting of shareholders except that, when a meeting is adjourned for 30 days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given as in the case of the original meeting.

 

11.13 Decisions by Show of Hands or Poll

 

Subject to the Business Corporations Act, every motion put to a vote at a meeting of shareholders will be decided on a show of hands unless a poll, before or on the declaration of the result of the vote by show of hands, is directed by the chair or demanded by any shareholder entitled to vote who is present in person or by proxy.

 

11.14 Declaration of Result

 

The chair of a meeting of shareholders must declare to the meeting the decision on every question in accordance with the result of the show of hands or the poll, as the case may be, and that decision must be entered in the minutes of the meeting. A declaration of the chair that a resolution is carried by the necessary majority or is defeated is, unless a poll is directed by the chair or demanded under Article 11.13, conclusive evidence without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against the resolution.

 

11.15 Motion Need Not be Seconded

 

No motion proposed at a meeting of shareholders need be seconded unless the chair of the meeting rules otherwise, and the chair of any meeting of shareholders is entitled to propose or second a motion.

 

11.16 Casting Vote

 

In the case of an equality of votes, the chair of a meeting of shareholders does not, either on a show of hands or on a poll, have a second or casting vote in addition to the vote or votes to which the chair may be entitled as a shareholder.

 

11.17 Manner of Taking Poll

 

Subject to Article 11.18, if a poll is duly demanded at a meeting of shareholders:

 

(1) the poll must be taken:

 

(i) at the meeting, or within seven days after the date of the meeting, as the chair of the meeting directs; and

 

(ii) in the manner, at the time and at the place that the chair of the meeting directs;

 

(2) the result of the poll is deemed to be the decision of the meeting at which the poll is demanded; and

 

(3) the demand for the poll may be withdrawn by the person who demanded it.

 

 
   - 13 -  

 

11.18 Demand for Poll on Adjournment

 

A poll demanded at a meeting of shareholders on a question of adjournment must be taken immediately at the meeting.

 

11.19 Chair Must Resolve Dispute

 

In the case of any dispute as to the admission or rejection of a vote given on a poll, the chair of the meeting must determine the dispute, and his or her determination made in good faith is final and conclusive.

 

11.20 Casting of Votes

 

On a poll, a shareholder entitled to more than one vote need not cast all the votes in the same way.

 

11.21 No Demand for Poll on Election of Chair

 

No poll may be demanded in respect of the vote by which a chair of a meeting of shareholders is elected.

 

11.22 Demand for Poll Not to Prevent Continuance of Meeting

 

The demand for a poll at a meeting of shareholders does not, unless the chair of the meeting so rules, prevent the continuation of the meeting for the transaction of any business other than the question on which a poll has been demanded.

 

11.23 Retention of Ballots and Proxies

 

The Company must, for at least three months after a meeting of shareholders, keep each ballot cast on a poll and each proxy voted at the meeting, and, during that period, make them available for inspection during normal business hours by any shareholder or proxyholder entitled to vote at the meeting. At the end of such three month period, the Company may destroy such ballots and proxies.

 

11.24 Ordinary Resolution

 

Unless the Business Corporations Act or these Articles otherwise provide, any action that must or may be taken or authorized by the shareholders may be taken or authorized by an ordinary resolution.

 

12. VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

12.1 Number of Votes by Shareholder or by Shares

 

Subject to any special rights or restrictions attached to any shares and to the restrictions imposed on joint shareholders under Article 12.3:

 

(1) on a vote by show of hands, every person present who is a shareholder or proxy holder and entitled to vote on the matter has one vote; and

 

(2) on a poll, every shareholder entitled to vote on the matter has one vote in respect of each share entitled to be voted on the matter and held by that shareholder and may exercise that vote either in person or by proxy.

 

12.2 Votes of Persons in Representative Capacity

 

A person who is not a shareholder may vote at a meeting of shareholders, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, and may appoint a proxy holder to act at the meeting, if, before doing so, the person satisfies the chair of the meeting, or the directors, that the person is a legal personal representative or a trustee in bankruptcy for a shareholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

 
   - 14 -  

 

12.3 Votes by Joint Holders

 

If there are joint shareholders registered in respect of any share:

 

(1) any one of the joint shareholders may vote at any meeting of shareholders, personally or by proxy, in respect of the share as if that joint shareholder were solely entitled to it; or

 

(2) if more than one of the joint shareholders is present at any meeting of shareholders, personally or by proxy, and more than one of them votes in respect of that share, then only the vote of the joint shareholder present whose name stands first on the central securities register in respect of the share will be counted.

 

12.4 Legal Personal Representatives as Joint Shareholders

 

Two or more legal personal representatives of a shareholder in whose sole name any share is registered are, for the purposes of Article 12.3, deemed to be joint shareholders registered in respect of that share.

 

12.5 Representative of a Corporate Shareholder

 

If a corporation that is not a subsidiary of the Company is a shareholder, that corporation may appoint a person to act as its representative at any meeting of shareholders of the Company, and:

 

(1) for that purpose, the instrument appointing a representative must be received:

 

(i) at the registered office of the Company or at any other place specified, in the notice calling the meeting, for the receipt of proxies, at least the number of business days specified in the notice for the receipt of proxies, or if no number of days is specified, two business days before the day set for the holding of the meeting or any adjourned meeting; or

 

(ii) at the meeting or any adjourned meeting, by the chair of the meeting or adjourned meeting or by a person designated by the chair of the meeting or adjourned meeting;

 

(2) if a representative is appointed under this Article 12.5:

 

(i) the representative is entitled to exercise in respect of and at that meeting the same rights on behalf of the corporation that the representative represents as that corporation could exercise if it were a shareholder who is an individual, including, without limitation, the right to appoint a proxy holder; and

 

(ii) the representative, if present at the meeting, is to be counted for the purpose of forming a quorum and is deemed to be a shareholder present in person at the meeting.

 

Evidence of the appointment of any such representative may be sent to the Company by written instrument, fax or any other method of transmitting legibly recorded messages.

 

12.6 When Proxy Holder Need Not Be Shareholder

 

A person must not be appointed as a proxy holder unless the person is a shareholder, although a person who is not a shareholder may be appointed as a proxy holder if:

 

 
   - 15 -  

 

(1) the person appointing the proxy holder is a corporation or a representative of a corporation appointed under Article 12.5;

 

(2) the Company has at the time of the meeting for which the proxy holder is to be appointed only one shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting;

 

(3) the shareholders present in person or by proxy at and entitled to vote at the meeting for which the proxy holder is to be appointed, by a resolution on which the proxy holder is not entitled to vote but in respect of which the proxy holder is to be counted in the quorum, permit the proxy holder to attend and vote at the meeting; or

 

(4) the Company is a public company or is a pre-existing reporting company which has the Statutory Reporting Company Provisions as part of these Articles or to which the Statutory Reporting Company Provisions apply.

 

12.7 When Proxy Provisions Do Not Apply to the Company

 

If and for so long as the Company is a public company or is a pre-existing reporting company which has the Statutory Reporting Company Provisions as part of these Articles or to which the Statutory Reporting Company Provisions apply, Articles 12.8 to 12.16 apply only insofar as they are not inconsistent with any Canadian securities legislation applicable to the Company, any U.S. securities legislation applicable to the Company or any rules of an exchange on which securities of the Company are listed.

 

12.8 Appointment of Proxy Holders

 

Every shareholder of the Company, including a corporation that is a shareholder but not a subsidiary of the Company, entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders may, by proxy, appoint one or more proxy holders to attend and act at the meeting in the manner, to the extent and with the powers conferred by the proxy.

 

12.9 Alternate Proxy Holders

 

A shareholder may appoint one or more alternate proxy holders to act in the place of an absent proxy holder.

 

12.10 Deposit of Proxy

 

A proxy for a meeting of shareholders must:

 

(1) be received at the registered office of the Company or at any other place specified, in the notice calling the meeting, for the receipt of proxies, at least the number of business days specified in the notice, or if no number of days is specified, two business days before the day set for the holding of the meeting or any adjourned meeting; or

 

(2) unless the notice provides otherwise, be received at the meeting or any adjourned meeting, by the chair of the meeting or adjourned meeting or by a person designated by the chair of the meeting or adjourned meeting.

 

A proxy may be sent to the Company by written instrument, fax or any other method of transmitting legibly recorded messages.

 

12.11 Validity of Proxy Vote

 

A vote given in accordance with the terms of a proxy is valid notwithstanding the death or incapacity of the shareholder giving the proxy and despite the revocation of the proxy or the revocation of the authority under which the proxy is given, unless notice in writing of that death, incapacity or revocation is received:

 

 
   - 16 -  

 

(1) at the registered office of the Company, at any time up to and including the last business day before the day set for the holding of the meeting or any adjourned meeting at which the proxy is to be used; or

 

(2) at the meeting or any adjourned meeting, by the chair of the meeting or adjourned meeting, before any vote in respect of which the proxy has been given has been taken.

 

12.12 Form of Proxy

 

A proxy, whether for a specified meeting or otherwise, must be either in the following form or in any other form approved by the directors or the chair of the meeting:

 

[name of company] (the “Company”)

 

The undersigned, being a shareholder of the Company, hereby appoints [name] or, failing that person, [name], as proxy holder for the undersigned to attend, act and vote for and on behalf of the undersigned at the meeting of shareholders of the Company to be held on [month, day, year] and at any adjournment of that meeting.

 

Number of shares in respect of which this proxy is given (if no number is specified, then this proxy is given in respect of all shares registered in the name of the undersigned):

 

Signed [month, day, year]
 
 
[Signature of shareholder]
 
 
[Name of shareholder - printed]

 

 

 

12.13 Revocation of Proxy

 

Subject to Article 12.14, every proxy may be revoked by an instrument in writing that is received:

 

(1) at the registered office of the Company at any time up to and including the last business day before the day set for the holding of the meeting or any adjourned meeting at which the proxy is to be used; or

 

(2) at the meeting or any adjourned meeting by the chair of the meeting or adjourned meeting, before any vote in respect of which the proxy has been given has been taken.

 

12.14 Revocation of Proxy Must Be Signed

 

An instrument referred to in Article 12.13 must be signed as follows:

 

(1) if the shareholder for whom the proxy holder is appointed is an individual, the instrument must be signed by the shareholder or his or her legal personal representative or trustee in bankruptcy;

 

(2) if the shareholder for whom the proxy holder is appointed is a corporation, the instrument must be signed by the corporation or by a representative appointed for the corporation under Article 12.5.

 

12.15 Chair May Determine Validity of Proxy

 

The chair of any meeting of shareholders may determine whether or not a proxy deposited for use at the meeting, which may not strictly comply with the requirements of this Part 12 as to form, execution, accompanying documentation, time of filing or otherwise, shall be valid for use at such meeting and any such determination made in good faith shall be final, conclusive and binding upon such meeting.

 

 
   - 17 -  

 

12.16 Production of Evidence of Authority to Vote

 

The chair of any meeting of shareholders may, but need not, inquire into the authority of any person to vote at the meeting and may, but need not, demand from that person production of evidence as to the existence of the authority to vote.

 

13. DIRECTORS

 

13.1 First Directors; Number of Directors

 

The first directors are the persons designated as directors of the Company in the Notice of Articles that applies to the Company when it is recognized under the Business Corporations Act. The number of directors, excluding additional directors appointed under Article 14.8, is set at:

 

(1) subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the number of directors that is equal to the number of the Company’s first directors;

 

(2) if the Company is a public company, the greater of three and the most recently set of:

 

(i) the number of directors set by directors’ resolution (whether or not previous notice of the resolution was given); and

 

(ii) the number of directors set under Article 14.4;

 

(3) if the Company is not a public company, the most recently set of:

 

(i) the number of directors set by directors’ resolution (whether or not previous notice of the resolution was given); and

 

(ii) the number of directors set under Article 14.4.

 

13.2 Change in Number of Directors

 

If the number of directors is set under Articles 13.1(2)(a) or 13.1(3)(a):

 

(1) the shareholders may elect or appoint the directors needed to fill any vacancies in the board of directors up to that number; or

 

(2) if the shareholders do not elect or appoint the directors needed to fill any vacancies in the board of directors up to that number contemporaneously with the setting of that number, then the directors, subject to Article 14.8, may appoint, or the shareholders may elect or appoint, directors to fill those vacancies.

 

13.3 Directors’ Acts Valid Despite Vacancy

 

An act or proceeding of the directors is not invalid merely because fewer than the number of directors set or otherwise required under these Articles is in office.

 

13.4 Qualifications of Directors

 

A director is not required to hold a share of the Company as qualification for his or her office but must be qualified as required by the Business Corporations Act to become, act or continue to act as a director.

 

 
   - 18 -  

 

13.5 Remuneration of Directors

 

The directors are entitled to the remuneration for acting as directors, if any, as the directors may from time to time determine. If the directors so decide, the remuneration of the directors, if any, will be determined by the shareholders. That remuneration may be in addition to any salary or other remuneration paid to any officer or employee of the Company as such, who is also a director.

 

13.6 Reimbursement of Expenses of Directors

 

The Company must reimburse each director for the reasonable expenses that he or she may incur in and about the business of the Company.

 

13.7 Special Remuneration for Directors

 

If any director performs any professional or other services for the Company that in the opinion of the directors are outside the ordinary duties of a director, or if any director is otherwise specially occupied in or about the Company’s business, he or she may be paid remuneration fixed by the directors, or, at the option of that director, fixed by ordinary resolution, and such remuneration may be either in addition to, or in substitution for, any other remuneration that he or she may be entitled to receive.

 

13.8 Gratuity, Pension or Allowance on Retirement of Director

 

Unless otherwise determined by ordinary resolution, the directors on behalf of the Company may pay a gratuity or pension or allowance on retirement to any director who has held any salaried office or place of profit with the Company or to his or her spouse or dependants and may make contributions to any fund and pay premiums for the purchase or provision of any such gratuity, pension or allowance.

 

14. ELECTION AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS

 

14.1 Election at Annual General Meeting

 

Subject to applicable securities laws and the rules of any stock exchange on which the securities of the Company are from time to time listed and posted for trading, at every annual general meeting and in every unanimous resolution contemplated by Article 10.2, in each case, in respect of which shareholders are asked to vote on the election of directors:

 

(1) the shareholders entitled to vote at the annual general meeting for the election of directors must elect, or in the unanimous resolution appoint, a board of directors consisting of the number of directors for the time being set under these Articles;

 

(2) each director shall be elected for a term expiring no later than immediately prior to the election or appointment of directors under paragraph (1) at the third annual general meeting of the shareholders following his or her election; and

 

(3) at each future annual general meeting, each director who has reached the expiration of the term for which he or she was elected, shall cease to hold office immediately before the election or appointment of directors under paragraph (1), but is eligible for re-election or re-appointment at such annual general meeting.

 

14.2 Nominations of Directors

 

(1) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set out in this Article 14.2 shall be eligible for election as directors of the Company. Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors of the Company may be made at any annual general meeting of shareholders, or at any special meeting of shareholders if one of the purposes for which the special meeting was called was the election of directors:

 

 
   - 19 -  

 

 

(a) by or at the direction of the board, including pursuant to a notice of meeting;

 

(b) by or at the direction or request of one or more shareholders pursuant to a proposal made in accordance with the Business Corporations Act or pursuant to a requisition of the shareholders made in accordance with the Business Corporations Act; or

 

(c) by any shareholder:

 

(i) who, at the close of business on the date of the giving of the notice provided for below in this Article 14.2 and on the record date for notice of such meeting, is entered in the central securities register of the Company as a holder of one or more shares carrying the right to vote at such meeting on the election of directors (a “Nominating Shareholder”); and

 

(ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Article 14.2.

 

(2) In addition to any other requirements under applicable laws, for a nomination to be made by a Nominating Shareholder, the Nominating Shareholder must have given timely notice thereof (in accordance with this Article 14.2) and in proper written form (in accordance with this Article 14.2) to the secretary of the Company at the principal executive offices of the Company.

 

(3) To be timely, a Nominating Shareholder’s notice to the Company must be made:

 

(a) in the case of an annual general meeting, not less than 30 nor more than 65 days prior to the date of the annual general meeting of shareholders provided, however, in the event that the annual general meeting of shareholders is to be held on a date that is less than 50 days after the date (the “Notice Date”) on which the first public announcement of the date of the annual general meeting was made, notice by the Nominating Shareholder may be made not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the Notice Date; and

 

(b) in the case of a special meeting (which is not also an annual general meeting) of shareholders called for the purpose of electing directors (whether or not called for other purposes), not later than the close of business on the 15th day following the day on which the first public announcement of the date of the special meeting of shareholders was made.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article 14.2, in no event shall any adjournment or postponement of a meeting of shareholders or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a Nominating Shareholder’s notice as described above.

 

(4) To be in proper written form, a Nominating Shareholder’s notice to the Company must set forth:

 

(a) if the Nominating Shareholder is not the beneficial owner of the shares, the identity of the beneficial owner and the number of shares held by that beneficial owner;

 

(b) as to each person whom the Nominating Shareholder proposes to nominate for election as a director:

 

 
   - 20 -  

 

(i) the name, age and address of the person;

 

(ii) the principal occupation or employment of the person;

 

(iii) the class or series and number of shares in the capital of the Company which are controlled or which are owned beneficially or of record by the person as of the record date for the meeting of shareholders (if such date shall then have been made publicly available and shall have occurred) and as of the date of such notice; and

 

(iv) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a dissident’s proxy circular or other filings to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Business Corporations Act and applicable securities laws; and

 

(c) as to the Nominating Shareholder giving the notice, any proxy, contract, agreement, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such Nominating Shareholder has a right to vote any shares of the Company on the election of directors and any other information relating to such Nominating Shareholder that would be required to be made in a dissident’s proxy circular or other filings to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Business Corporations Act and applicable securities laws.

 

The Company may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the Company to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Company in accordance with applicable securities laws and the rules of any stock exchange on which the securities of the Company are then listed for trading or that could be material to a reasonable shareholder’s understanding of such independence, or lack thereof, of such proposed nominee.

 

(5) Except as otherwise provided by the special rights or restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series of the Company, no person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Company unless nominated in accordance with the provisions of this Article 14.2; provided, however, that nothing in this Article 14.2 shall be deemed to preclude discussion by a shareholder or proxy holder (as distinct from the nomination of directors) at a meeting of shareholders of any matter in respect of which it would have been entitled to submit a proposal pursuant to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act. The chair of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination was made in accordance with the procedures set forth in the foregoing provisions and, if any proposed nomination is not in compliance with such foregoing provisions, to declare that such defective nomination shall be disregarded. A duly appointed proxy holder of a Nominating Shareholder shall be entitled to nominate at a meeting of shareholders the directors nominated by the Nominating Shareholder, provided that all of the requirements of this Article 14.2 have been satisfied.

 

(6) If and for so long as the Company is not a public company, for the purposes of this Article 14.2 “public announcement” shall mean disclosure by notice to shareholders in accordance with Article 24 of these Articles. If and for long as the Company is a public company, for the purposes of this Article 14.2, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a news release reported by a national news service in Canada, or in a document publicly filed by the Company under its issuer profile on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval at www.sedar.com.

 

(7) Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, notice given to the secretary of the Company pursuant to this Article 14.2 may only be given by personal delivery or facsimile transmission (at such contact information as set out on the Company’s issuer profile on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval, provided however, that so long as the Company is not a public company, the contact information for the Company shall be the registered office of the Company as set out in the most recent Notice of Articles filed with the Registrar of Companies), and shall be deemed to have been given and made only at the time it is served by personal delivery to the secretary of the Company at the principal executive offices of the Company or sent by facsimile transmission (provided that receipt of confirmation of such transmission has been received); provided that if such delivery or transmission is made on a day which is a not a business day or later than 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on a day which is a business day, then such delivery or transmission shall be deemed to have been made on the next following day that is a business day.

 

 
   - 21 -  

 

 

(8) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the board may, in its sole discretion, waive any requirement in this Article 14.2.

 

14.3 Consent to be a Director

 

No election, appointment or designation of an individual as a director is valid unless:

 

(1) that individual consents to be a director in the manner provided for in the Business Corporations Act;

 

(2) that individual is elected or appointed at a meeting at which the individual is present and the individual does not refuse, at the meeting, to be a director; or

 

(3) with respect to first directors, the designation is otherwise valid under the Business Corporations Act.

 

14.4 Failure to Elect or Appoint Directors

 

If:

 

(1) the Company fails to hold an annual general meeting, and all the shareholders who are entitled to vote at an annual general meeting fail to pass the unanimous resolution contemplated by Article 10.2, on or before the date by which the annual general meeting is required to be held under the Business Corporations Act; or

 

(2) the shareholders fail, at the annual general meeting or in the unanimous resolution contemplated by Article 10.2, to elect or appoint any directors;

 

then each director then in office continues to hold office until the earlier of:

 

(3) when his or her successor is elected or appointed; and

 

(4) when he or she otherwise ceases to hold office under the Business Corporations Act or these Articles.

 

14.5 Places of Retiring Directors Not Filled

 

If, at any meeting of shareholders at which there should be an election of directors, the places of any of the retiring directors are not filled by that election, those retiring directors who are not re-elected and who are asked by the newly elected directors to continue in office will, if willing to do so, continue in office to complete the number of directors for the time being set pursuant to these Articles until further new directors are elected at a meeting of shareholders convened for that purpose. If any such election or continuance of directors does not result in the election or continuance of the number of directors for the time being set pursuant to these Articles, the number of directors of the Company is deemed to be set at the number of directors actually elected or continued in office.

 

 
   - 22 -  

 

14.6 Directors May Fill Casual Vacancies

 

Any casual vacancy occurring in the board of directors may be filled by the directors.

 

14.7 Remaining Directors’ Power to Act

 

The directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in the board of directors, but if the Company has fewer directors in office than the number set pursuant to these Articles as the quorum of directors, the directors may only act for the purpose of appointing directors up to that number or of calling a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of filling any vacancies on the board of directors or, subject to the Business Corporations Act, for any other purpose.

 

14.8 Shareholders May Fill Vacancies

 

If the Company has no directors or fewer directors in office than the number set pursuant to these Articles as the quorum of directors, the shareholders may elect or appoint directors to fill any vacancies on the board of directors.

 

14.9 Additional Directors

 

Notwithstanding Articles 13.1 and 13.2, between annual general meetings or unanimous resolutions contemplated by Article 10.2, the directors may appoint one or more additional directors, but the number of additional directors appointed under this Article 14.8 must not at any time exceed:

 

(1) one-third of the number of first directors, if, at the time of the appointments, one or more of the first directors have not yet completed their first term of office; or

 

(2) in any other case, one-third of the number of the current directors who were elected or appointed as directors other than under this Article 14.8.

 

Any director so appointed ceases to hold office immediately before the next election or appointment of directors under Article 14.1(1), but is eligible for re-election or re-appointment.

 

14.10 Ceasing to be a Director

 

A director ceases to be a director when:

 

(1) the term of office of the director expires;

 

(2) the director dies;

 

(3) the director resigns as a director by notice in writing provided to the Company or a lawyer for the Company; or

 

(4) the director is removed from office pursuant to Articles 14.10 or 14.11.

 

14.11 Removal of Director by Shareholders

 

The Company may remove any director before the expiration of his or her term of office by special resolution. In that event, the shareholders may elect, or appoint by ordinary resolution, a director to fill the resulting vacancy. If the shareholders do not elect or appoint a director to fill the resulting vacancy contemporaneously with the removal, then the directors may appoint or the shareholders may elect, or appoint by ordinary resolution, a director to fill that vacancy.

 

 
   - 23 -  

 

14.12 Removal of Director by Directors

 

The directors may remove any director before the expiration of his or her term of office if the director is convicted of an indictable offence, or if the director ceases to be qualified to act as a director of a company and does not promptly resign, and the directors may appoint a director to fill the resulting vacancy.

 

15. ALTERNATE DIRECTORS

 

15.1 Appointment of Alternate Director

 

Any director (an “appointor”) may by notice in writing received by the Company appoint any person (an “appointee”) who is qualified to act as a director to be his or her alternate to act in his or her place at meetings of the directors or committees of the directors at which the appointor is not present unless (in the case of an appointee who is not a director) the directors have reasonably disapproved the appointment of such person as an alternate director and have given notice to that effect to his or her appointor within a reasonable time after the notice of appointment is received by the Company.

 

15.2 Notice of Meetings

 

Every alternate director so appointed is entitled to notice of meetings of the directors and of committees of the directors of which his or her appointor is a member and to attend and vote as a director at any such meetings at which his or her appointor is not present.

 

15.3 Alternate for More Than One Director Attending Meetings

 

A person may be appointed as an alternate director by more than one director, and an alternate director:

 

(1) will be counted in determining the quorum for a meeting of directors once for each of his or her appointors and, in the case of an appointee who is also a director, once more in that capacity;

 

(2) has a separate vote at a meeting of directors for each of his or her appointors and, in the case of an appointee who is also a director, an additional vote in that capacity;

 

(3) will be counted in determining the quorum for a meeting of a committee of directors once for each of his or her appointors who is a member of that committee and, in the case of an appointee who is also a member of that committee as a director, once more in that capacity; and

 

(4) has a separate vote at a meeting of a committee of directors for each of his or her appointors who is a member of that committee and, in the case of an appointee who is also a member of that committee as a director, an additional vote in that capacity.

 

15.4 Consent Resolutions

 

Every alternate director, if authorized by the notice appointing him or her, may sign in place of his or her appointor any resolutions to be consented to in writing.

 

15.5 Alternate Director Not an Agent

 

Every alternate director is deemed not to be the agent of his or her appointor.

 

15.6 Revocation of Appointment of Alternate Director

 

An appointor may at any time, by notice in writing received by the Company, revoke the appointment of an alternate director appointed by him or her.

 

 
   - 24 -  

 

15.7 Ceasing to be an Alternate Director

 

The appointment of an alternate director ceases when:

 

(1) his or her appointor ceases to be a director and is not promptly re-elected or re-appointed;

 

(2) the alternate director dies;

 

(3) the alternate director resigns as an alternate director by notice in writing provided to the Company or a lawyer for the Company;

 

(4) the alternate director ceases to be qualified to act as a director; or

 

(5) his or her appointor revokes the appointment of the alternate director.

 

15.8 Remuneration and Expenses of Alternate Director

 

The Company may reimburse an alternate director for the reasonable expenses that would be properly reimbursed if he or she were a director, and the alternate director is entitled to receive from the Company such proportion, if any, of the remuneration otherwise payable to the appointor as the appointor may from time to time direct.

 

16. POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS

 

16.1 Powers of Management

 

The directors must, subject to the Business Corporations Act and these Articles, manage or supervise the management of the business and affairs of the Company and have the authority to exercise all such powers of the Company as are not, by the Business Corporations Act or by these Articles, required to be exercised by the shareholders of the Company.

 

16.2 Appointment of Attorney of Company

 

The directors may from time to time, by power of attorney or other instrument, under seal if so required by law, appoint any person to be the attorney of the Company for such purposes, and with such powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the directors under these Articles and excepting the power to fill vacancies in the board of directors, to remove a director, to change the membership of, or fill vacancies in, any committee of the directors, to appoint or remove officers appointed by the directors and to declare dividends) and for such period, and with such remuneration and subject to such conditions as the directors may think fit. Any such power of attorney may contain such provisions for the protection or convenience of persons dealing with such attorney as the directors think fit. Any such attorney may be authorized by the directors to sub-delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in him or her.

 

17. INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

 

17.1 Obligation to Account for Profits

 

A director or senior officer who holds a disclosable interest (as that term is used in the Business Corporations Act) in a contract or transaction into which the Company has entered or proposes to enter is liable to account to the Company for any profit that accrues to the director or senior officer under or as a result of the contract or transaction only if and to the extent provided in the Business Corporations Act.

 

17.2 Restrictions on Voting by Reason of Interest

 

A director who holds a disclosable interest in a contract or transaction into which the Company has entered or proposes to enter is not entitled to vote on any directors’ resolution to approve that contract or transaction, unless all the directors have a disclosable interest in that contract or transaction, in which case any or all of those directors may vote on such resolution.

 

 
   - 25 -  

 

 

17.3 Interested Director Counted in Quorum

 

A director who holds a disclosable interest in a contract or transaction into which the Company has entered or proposes to enter and who is present at the meeting of directors at which the contract or transaction is considered for approval may be counted in the quorum at the meeting whether or not the director votes on any or all of the resolutions considered at the meeting.

 

17.4 Disclosure of Conflict of Interest or Property

 

A director or senior officer who holds any office or possesses any property, right or interest that could result, directly or indirectly, in the creation of a duty or interest that materially conflicts with that individual’s duty or interest as a director or senior officer, must disclose the nature and extent of the conflict as required by the Business Corporations Act.

 

17.5 Director Holding Other Office in the Company

 

A director may hold any office or place of profit with the Company, other than the office of auditor of the Company, in addition to his or her office of director for the period and on the terms (as to remuneration or otherwise) that the directors may determine.

 

17.6 No Disqualification

 

No director or intended director is disqualified by his or her office from contracting with the Company either with regard to the holding of any office or place of profit the director holds with the Company or as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, and no contract or transaction entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which a director is in any way interested is liable to be voided for that reason.

 

17.7 Professional Services by Director or Officer

 

Subject to the Business Corporations Act, a director or officer, or any person in which a director or officer has an interest, may act in a professional capacity for the Company, except as auditor of the Company, and the director or officer or such person is entitled to remuneration for professional services as if that director or officer were not a director or officer.

 

17.8 Director or Officer in Other Corporations

 

A director or officer may be or become a director, officer or employee of, or otherwise interested in, any person in which the Company may be interested as a shareholder or otherwise, and, subject to the Business Corporations Act, the director or officer is not accountable to the Company for any remuneration or other benefits received by him or her as director, officer or employee of, or from his or her interest in, such other person.

 

18. PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS

 

18.1 Meetings of Directors

 

The directors may meet together for the conduct of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate their meetings as they think fit, and meetings of the directors held at regular intervals may be held at the place, at the time and on the notice, if any, as the directors may from time to time determine.

 

 
   - 26 -  

 

18.2 Voting at Meetings

 

Questions arising at any meeting of directors are to be decided by a majority of votes and, in the case of an equality of votes, the chair of the meeting does not have a second or casting vote.

 

18.3 Chair of Meetings

 

The following individual is entitled to preside as chair at a meeting of directors:

 

(1) the chair of the board, if any;

 

(2) in the absence of the chair of the board, the president, if any, if the president is a director; or

 

(3) any other director chosen by the directors if:

 

(i) neither the chair of the board nor the president, if a director, is present at the meeting within 15 minutes after the time set for holding the meeting;

 

(ii) neither the chair of the board nor the president, if a director, is willing to chair the meeting; or

 

(iii) the chair of the board and the president, if a director, have advised the secretary, if any, or any other director, that they will not be present at the meeting.

 

18.4 Meetings by Telephone or Other Communications Medium

 

A director may participate in a meeting of the directors or of any committee of the directors:

 

(1) in person;

 

(2) by telephone; or

 

(3) with the consent of all directors who wish to participate in the meeting, by other communications medium;

 

if all directors participating in the meeting, whether in person or by telephone or other communications medium, are able to communicate with each other. A director who participates in a meeting in a manner contemplated by this Article 18.4 is deemed for all purposes of the Business Corporations Act and these Articles to be present at the meeting and to have agreed to participate in that manner.

 

18.5 Calling of Meetings

 

A director may, and the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company, if any, on the request of a director must, call a meeting of the directors at any time.

 

18.6 Notice of Meetings

 

Other than for meetings held at regular intervals as determined by the directors pursuant to Article 18.1 or as provided in Article 18.7, reasonable notice of each meeting of the directors, specifying the place, day and time of that meeting must be given to each of the directors and the alternate directors by any method set out in Article 24.1 or orally or by telephone.

 

18.7 When Notice Not Required

 

It is not necessary to give notice of a meeting of the directors to a director or an alternate director if:

 

 
   - 27 -  

 

(1) the meeting is to be held immediately following a meeting of shareholders at which that director was elected or appointed, or is the meeting of the directors at which that director is appointed; or

 

(2) the director or alternate director, as the case may be, has waived notice of the meeting.

 

18.8 Meeting Valid Despite Failure to Give Notice

 

The accidental omission to give notice of any meeting of directors to, or the non-receipt of any notice by, any director or alternate director, does not invalidate any proceedings at that meeting.

 

18.9 Waiver of Notice of Meetings

 

Any director or alternate director may send to the Company a document signed by him or her waiving notice of any past, present or future meeting or meetings of the directors and may at any time withdraw that waiver with respect to meetings held after that withdrawal. After sending a waiver with respect to all future meetings and until that waiver is withdrawn, no notice of any meeting of the directors need be given to that director or, unless the director otherwise requires by notice in writing to the Company, to his or her alternate director, and all meetings of the directors so held are deemed not to be improperly called or constituted by reason of notice not having been given to such director or alternate director. Attendance of a director or alternate director at a meeting of the directors is a waiver of notice of the meeting unless that director or alternate director attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called.

 

18.10 Quorum

 

The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the directors may be set by the directors and, if not so set, is deemed to be set at two directors or, if the number of directors is set at one, is deemed to be set at one director, and that director may constitute a meeting.

 

18.11 Validity of Acts Where Appointment Defective

 

Subject to the Business Corporations Act, an act of a director or officer is not invalid merely because of an irregularity in the election or appointment or a defect in the qualification of that director or officer.

 

18.12 Consent Resolutions in Writing

 

A resolution of the directors or of any committee of the directors may be passed without a meeting:

 

(1) in all cases, if each of the directors entitled to vote on the resolution consents to it in writing; or

 

(2) in the case of a resolution to approve a contract or transaction in respect of which a director has disclosed that he or she has or may have a disclosable interest, if each of the other directors who have not made such a disclosure consents in writing to the resolution.

 

A consent in writing under this Article 18.12 may be by any written instrument, fax, e-mail or any other method of transmitting legibly recorded messages in which the consent of the director is evidenced, whether or not the signature of the director is included in the record. A consent in writing may be in two or more counterparts which together are deemed to constitute one consent in writing. A resolution of the directors or of any committee of the directors passed in accordance with this Article 18.12 is effective on the date stated in the consent in writing or on the latest date stated on any counterpart and is deemed to be a proceeding at a meeting of the directors or of the committee of the directors and to be as valid and effective as if it had been passed at a meeting of the directors or of the committee of the directors that satisfies all the requirements of the Business Corporations Act and all the requirements of these Articles relating to meetings of the directors or of a committee of the directors.

 

 
   - 28 -  

 

19. EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES

 

19.1 Appointment and Powers of Executive Committee

 

The directors may, by resolution, appoint an executive committee consisting of the director or directors that they consider appropriate, and during the intervals between meetings of the board of directors all of the directors’ powers are delegated to the executive committee, except:

 

(1) the power to fill vacancies in the board of directors;

 

(2) the power to remove a director;

 

(3) the power to change the membership of, or fill vacancies in, any committee of the directors; and

 

(4) such other powers, if any, as may be set out in the resolution or any subsequent directors’ resolution.

 

19.2 Appointment and Powers of Other Committees

 

The directors may, by resolution:

 

(1) appoint one or more committees (other than the executive committee) consisting of the director or directors that they consider appropriate;

 

(2) delegate to a committee appointed under paragraph (1) any of the directors’ powers, except:

 

(i) the power to fill vacancies in the board of directors;

 

(ii) the power to remove a director;

 

(iii) the power to change the membership of, or fill vacancies in, any committee of the directors; and

 

(iv) the power to appoint or remove officers appointed by the directors; and

 

(3) make any delegation referred to in paragraph (2) subject to the conditions set out in the resolution or any subsequent directors’ resolution.

 

19.3 Obligations of Committees

 

Any committee appointed under Articles 19.1 or 19.2, in the exercise of the powers delegated to it, must:

 

(1) conform to any rules that may from time to time be imposed on it by the directors; and

 

(2) report every act or thing done in exercise of those powers at such times as the directors may require.

 

19.4 Powers of Board

 

The directors may, at any time, with respect to a committee appointed under Articles 19.1 or 19.2:

 

(1) revoke or alter the authority given to the committee, or override a decision made by the committee, except as to acts done before such revocation, alteration or overriding;

 

(2) terminate the appointment of, or change the membership of, the committee; and

 

 
   - 29 -  

 

(3) fill vacancies in the committee.

 

19.5 Committee Meetings

 

Subject to Article 19.3(1) and unless the directors otherwise provide in the resolution appointing the committee or in any subsequent resolution, with respect to a committee appointed under Articles 19.1 or 19.2:

 

(1) the committee may meet and adjourn as it thinks proper;

 

(2) the committee may elect a chair of its meetings but, if no chair of a meeting is elected, or if at a meeting the chair of the meeting is not present within 15 minutes after the time set for holding the meeting, the directors present who are members of the committee may choose one of their number to chair the meeting;

 

(3) a majority of the members of the committee constitutes a quorum of the committee; and

 

(4) questions arising at any meeting of the committee are determined by a majority of votes of the members present, and in the case of an equality of votes, the chair of the meeting does not have a second or casting vote.

 

20. OFFICERS

 

20.1 Directors May Appoint Officers

 

The directors may, from time to time, appoint such officers, if any, as the directors determine and the directors may, at any time, terminate any such appointment.

 

20.2 Functions, Duties and Powers of Officers

 

The directors may, for each officer:

 

(1) determine the functions and duties of the officer;

 

(2) delegate to the officer any of the powers exercisable by the directors on such terms and conditions and with such restrictions as the directors think fit; and

 

(3) revoke, withdraw, alter or vary all or any of the functions, duties and powers of the officer.

 

20.3 Qualifications

 

No officer may be appointed unless that officer is qualified in accordance with the Business Corporations Act. One person may hold more than one position as an officer of the Company. Any person appointed as the chair of the board or as a managing director must be a director. Any other officer need not be a director.

 

20.4 Remuneration and Terms of Appointment

 

All appointments of officers are to be made on the terms and conditions and at the remuneration (whether by way of salary, fee, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) that the directors think fit and are subject to termination at the pleasure of the directors, and an officer may in addition to such remuneration be entitled to receive, after he or she ceases to hold such office or leaves the employment of the Company, a pension or gratuity.

 

 
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21. INDEMNIFICATION

 

21.1 Definitions

 

In this Article 21:

 

(1) “eligible penalty” means a judgment, penalty or fine awarded or imposed in, or an amount paid in settlement of, an eligible proceeding;

 

(2) “eligible proceeding” means a legal proceeding or investigative action, whether current, threatened, pending or completed, in which a director, former director or alternate director of the Company (an “eligible party”) or any of the heirs and legal personal representatives of the eligible party, by reason of the eligible party being or having been a director or alternate director of the Company:

 

(i) is or may be joined as a party; or

 

(ii) is or may be liable for or in respect of a judgment, penalty or fine in, or expenses related to, the proceeding;

 

(3) “expenses” has the meaning set out in the Business Corporations Act.

 

21.2 Mandatory Indemnification of Directors

 

Subject to the Business Corporations Act, the Company must indemnify a director, former director or alternate director of the Company and his or her heirs and legal personal representatives against all eligible penalties to which such person is or may be liable, and the Company must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in respect of that proceeding. Each director and alternate director is deemed to have contracted with the Company on the terms of the indemnity contained in this Article 21.2.

 

21.3 Permitted Indemnification

 

Subject to any restrictions in the Business Corporations Act, the Company may indemnify any person.

 

21.4 Non-Compliance with Business Corporations Act

 

The failure of a director, alternate director or officer of the Company to comply with the Business Corporations Act or these Articles or, if applicable, any former Companies Act or former Articles, does not invalidate any indemnity to which he or she is entitled under this Part 21.

 

21.5 Company May Purchase Insurance

 

The Company may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any person (or his or her heirs or legal personal representatives) who:

 

(1) is or was a director, alternate director, officer, employee or agent of the Company;

 

(2) is or was a director, alternate director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation at a time when the corporation is or was an affiliate of the Company;

 

(3) at the request of the Company, is or was a director, alternate director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation or of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity; or

 

(4) at the request of the Company, holds or held a position equivalent to that of a director, alternate director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity;

 

 
   - 31 -  

 

against any liability incurred by him or her as such director, alternate director, officer, employee or agent or person who holds or held such equivalent position.

 

22. DIVIDENDS

 

22.1 Payment of Dividends Subject to Special Rights

 

The provisions of this Part 22 are subject to the rights, if any, of shareholders holding shares with special rights as to dividends.

 

22.2 Declaration of Dividends

 

Subject to the Business Corporations Act, the directors may from time to time declare and authorize payment of such dividends as they may consider appropriate.

 

22.3 No Notice Required

 

The directors need not give notice to any shareholder of any declaration under Article 22.2.

 

22.4 Record Date

 

The directors may set a date as the record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend. The record date must not precede the date on which the dividend is to be paid by more than two months. If no record date is set, the record date is 5 p.m. on the date on which the directors pass the resolution declaring the dividend.

 

22.5 Manner of Paying Dividend

 

A resolution declaring a dividend may direct payment of the dividend wholly or partly in money or by the distribution of specific assets or of fully paid shares or of bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company or any other corporation, or in any one or more of those ways.

 

22.6 Settlement of Difficulties

 

If any difficulty arises in regard to a distribution under Article 22.5, the directors may settle the difficulty as they deem advisable, and, in particular, may:

 

(1) set the value for distribution of specific assets;

 

(2) determine that money in substitution for all or any part of the specific assets to which any shareholders are entitled may be paid to any shareholders on the basis of the value so fixed in order to adjust the rights of all parties; and

 

(3) vest any such specific assets in trustees for the persons entitled to the dividend.

 

22.7 When Dividend Payable

 

Any dividend may be made payable on such date as is fixed by the directors.

 

22.8 Dividends to be Paid in Accordance with Number of Shares

 

All dividends on shares of any class or series of shares must be declared and paid according to the number of such shares held.

 

 
   - 32 -  

 

22.9 Receipt by Joint Shareholders

 

If several persons are joint shareholders of any share, any one of them may give an effective receipt for any dividend, bonus or other money payable in respect of the share.

 

22.10 Dividend Bears No Interest

 

No dividend bears interest against the Company.

 

22.11 Fractional Dividends

 

If a dividend to which a shareholder is entitled includes a fraction of the smallest monetary unit of the currency of the dividend, that fraction may be disregarded in making payment of the dividend and that payment represents full payment of the dividend.

 

22.12 Payment of Dividends

 

Any dividend or other distribution payable in money in respect of shares may be paid by cheque, made payable to the order of the person to whom it is sent, and mailed to the registered address of the shareholder, or in the case of joint shareholders, to the registered address of the joint shareholder who is first named on the central securities register, or to the person and to the address the shareholder or joint shareholders may direct in writing. The mailing of such cheque will, to the extent of the sum represented by the cheque (plus the amount of the tax required by law to be deducted), discharge all liability for the dividend unless such cheque is not paid on presentation or the amount of tax so deducted is not paid to the appropriate taxing authority.

 

22.13 Capitalization of Retained Earnings or Surplus

 

Notwithstanding anything contained in these Articles, the directors may from time to time capitalize any retained earnings or surplus of the Company and may from time to time issue, as fully paid, shares or any bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company as a dividend representing the retained earnings or surplus so capitalized or any part thereof.

 

23. ACCOUNTING RECORDS AND AUDITOR

 

23.1 Recording of Financial Affairs

 

The directors must cause adequate accounting records to be kept to record properly the financial affairs and condition of the Company and to comply with the Business Corporations Act.

 

23.2 Inspection of Accounting Records

 

Unless the directors determine otherwise, or unless otherwise determined by ordinary resolution, no shareholder of the Company is entitled to inspect or obtain a copy of any accounting records of the Company.

 

23.3 Remuneration of Auditor

 

The directors may set the remuneration of the auditor of the Company.

 

24. NOTICES

 

24.1 Method of Giving Notice

 

Unless the Business Corporations Act or these Articles provide otherwise, a notice, statement, report or other record required or permitted by the Business Corporations Act or these Articles to be sent by or to a person may be sent by any one of the following methods:

 

 
   - 33 -  

 

(1) mail addressed to the person at the applicable address for that person as follows:

 

(i) for a record mailed to a shareholder, the shareholder’s registered address;

 

(ii) for a record mailed to a director or officer, the prescribed address for mailing shown for the director or officer in the records kept by the Company or the mailing address provided by the recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class; or

 

(iii) in any other case, the mailing address of the intended recipient;

 

(2) delivery at the applicable address for that person as follows, addressed to the person:

 

(i) for a record delivered to a shareholder, the shareholder’s registered address;

 

(ii) for a record delivered to a director or officer, the prescribed address for delivery shown for the director or officer in the records kept by the Company or the delivery address provided by the recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class; or

 

(iii) in any other case, the delivery address of the intended recipient;

 

(3) unless the intended recipient is the auditor of the Company, sending the record by fax to the fax number provided by the intended recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class;

 

(4) unless the intended recipient is the auditor of the Company, sending the record by e-mail to the e- mail address provided by the intended recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class;

 

(5) physical delivery to the intended recipient.

 

24.2 Deemed Receipt

 

A notice, statement, report or other record that is:

 

(1) mailed to a person by ordinary mail to the applicable address for that person referred to in Article

24.1 is deemed to be received by the person to whom it was mailed on the day (Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excepted) following the date of mailing;

 

(2) faxed to a person to the fax number provided by that person referred to in Article 24.1 is deemed to be received by the person to whom it was faxed on the day it was faxed; and

 

(3) e-mailed to a person to the e-mail address provided by that person referred to in Article 24.1 is deemed to be received by the person to whom it was e-mailed on the day it was e-mailed.

 

24.3 Certificate of Sending

 

A certificate signed by the secretary, if any, or other officer of the Company or of any other corporation acting in that capacity on behalf of the Company stating that a notice, statement, report or other record was sent in accordance with Article 24.1 is conclusive evidence of that fact.

 

24.4 Notice to Joint Shareholders

 

A notice, statement, report or other record may be provided by the Company to the joint shareholders of a share by providing such record to the joint shareholder first named in the central securities register in respect of the share.

 

 
   - 34 -  

 

24.5 Notice to Legal Personal Representatives and Trustees

 

A notice, statement, report or other record may be provided by the Company to the persons entitled to a share in consequence of the death, bankruptcy or incapacity of a shareholder by:

 

(1) mailing the record, addressed to them:

 

(i) by name, by the title of the legal personal representative of the deceased or incapacitated shareholder, by the title of trustee of the bankrupt shareholder or by any similar description; and

 

(ii) at the address, if any, supplied to the Company for that purpose by the persons claiming to be so entitled; or

 

(2) if an address referred to in paragraph (1)(b) has not been supplied to the Company, by giving the notice in a manner in which it might have been given if the death, bankruptcy or incapacity had not occurred.

 

24.6 Undelivered Notices

 

If on two consecutive occasions, a notice, statement, report or other record is sent to a shareholder pursuant to Article 24.1 and on each of those occasions any such record is returned because the shareholder cannot be located, the Company shall not be required to send any further records to the shareholder until the shareholder informs the Company in writing of his or her new address.

 

25. SEAL

 

25.1 Who May Attest Seal

 

Except as provided in Articles 25.2 and 25.3, the Company’s seal, if any, must not be impressed on any record except when that impression is attested by the signatures of:

 

(1) any two directors;

 

(2) any officer, together with any director;

 

(3) if the Company only has one director, that director; or

 

(4) any one or more directors or officers or persons as may be determined by the directors.

 

25.2 Sealing Copies

 

For the purpose of certifying under seal a certificate of incumbency of the directors or officers of the Company or a true copy of any resolution or other document, despite Article 25.1, the impression of the seal may be attested by the signature of any director or officer or the signature of any other person as may be determined by the directors.

 

25.3 Mechanical Reproduction of Seal

 

The directors may authorize the seal to be impressed by third parties on share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company as they may determine appropriate from time to time. To enable the seal to be impressed on any share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company, whether in definitive or interim form, on which facsimiles of any of the signatures of the directors or officers of the Company are, in accordance with the Business Corporations Act or these Articles, printed or otherwise mechanically reproduced, there may be delivered to the person employed to engrave, lithograph or print such definitive or interim share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities one or more unmounted dies reproducing the seal and such persons as are authorized under Article 25.1 to attest the Company’s seal may in writing authorize such person to cause the seal to be impressed on such definitive or interim share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities by the use of such dies. Share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities to which the seal has been so impressed are for all purposes deemed to be under and to bear the seal impressed on them.

 

 
   - 35 -  

 

26. PROHIBITIONS

 

26.1 Definitions

 

(1) In this Part 26:

 

(i) security” has the meaning assigned in the Securities Act (British Columbia);

 

(ii) transfer restricted security” means:

 

(A) a share of the Company;

 

(B) a security of the Company convertible into shares of the Company;

 

(C) any other security of the Company which must be subject to restrictions on transfer in order for the Company to satisfy the requirement for restrictions on transfer under the “private issuer” exemption of Canadian securities legislation or under any other exemption from prospectus or registration requirements of Canadian securities legislation similar in scope and purpose to the “private issuer” exemption.

 

26.2 Application

 

Article 26.3 does not apply to the Company if and for so long as it is a public company or a pre-existing reporting company which has the Statutory Reporting Company Provisions as part of these Articles or to which the Statutory Reporting Company Provisions apply.

 

26.3 Consent Required for Transfer of Shares or Transfer Restricted Securities

 

No shares shall be transferred without the prior consent of the directors expressed by a resolution of the board of directors and the directors shall not be required to give any reason for refusing to consent to any proposed transfer. The consent of the board of directors may be in respect of a specific proposed trade or trades or trading generally, whether or not over a specified period of time, or by a specific person or with such other restrictions or requirements as the directors may determine.

 

27. SPECIAL RIGHTS OR RESTRICTIONS ATTACHING TO THE COMMON SHARES

 

The Common shares without par value (the “Common Shares”) shall have attached thereto the following special rights or restrictions:

27.1 Voting

The holders of the Common Shares shall be entitled to one vote in respect of each Common Share held by such holder at any annual or general meeting of the shareholders of the Company.

 

27.2 Dividends

The holders of the Common Shares shall in each year in the discretion of the directors be entitled, to the exclusion of any other class or series of shares then issued and outstanding in the capital of the Company, out of monies of the Company lawfully available for the payment of dividends, to dividends in such amounts as may be determined in the absolute discretion of the directors from time to time.

 

 
   - 36 -  

 

27.3.       Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding-Up

Subject to the rights of the holders of the Preferred shares without par value, in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of the assets of the Company among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs, the remaining property and assets of the Company shall be distributed to the holders of the Common Shares.

 

28. SPECIAL RIGHTS OR RESTRICTIONS ATTACHING TO THE PREFERRED SHARES

 

The Preferred shares without par value (the “Preferred Shares”) as a class shall be subject to the following special rights or restrictions:

 

28.1 Issuable in Series

The Preferred Shares are issuable from time to time in one or more series, ranking equally on winding-up, to repayment of the amount paid up on such shares, and to carry and be subject to, as a class, the following special rights or restrictions:

 

(1) the directors of the Company may by resolution duly passed before the issue of any Preferred Shares, alter the Notice of Articles and the Articles of the Company to fix the number of Preferred Shares in, and to determine the designation of the shares of, each series and to create, define and attach special rights and restrictions to the Preferred Shares of such series, including but without limiting or restricting the generality of the foregoing:

 

(a) the provision, if any, with respect to the rights of holders of such series to receive notice of and to attend and vote at any general meeting of the Company;

 

(b) the rights and obligations, if any, relating to the purchase or redemption by the Company of the Preferred Shares of such series and the consideration for and the terms and conditions of such purchase or redemption;

 

(c) the right, if any, to convert any Preferred Shares of such series into shares of another class;

 

(d) the terms and conditions of any share purchase plan or sinking fund; and

 

(e) the restrictions, if any, respecting payment of dividends on any shares ranking junior to the Preferred Shares.

 

(2) Subject to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act, the directors may, before the issuance of any shares of any series of Preferred shares, alter any determination made as to the maximum number of shares in such series and/or alter the special rights or restrictions attaching to that series of Preferred shares.

 

28.2 Ranking

The Preferred Shares shall rank on a parity with each other and with any other shares by their terms ranking equally therewith with respect to the payment of dividends and, on winding-up, repayment of the amount paid up on such shares of the Company, and shall rank prior to the Common Shares or any other shares ranking junior with respect to, on winding-up, repayment of the amount paid up on such shares.

Exhibit 5.1

 

LOGO

June 19, 2020

 

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Suite 310-815 W. Hastings St.

Vancouver, BC, Canada

V6C 1B4

Dear Sirs/Mesdames:

 

  Re:

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. – Registration Statement on Form S-1

We have acted as Canadian counsel to InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the “Company”), a British Columbia company, in connection with the offering by the Company of up to USD$12,000,000 of the common shares in the capital of the Company (the “Offered Shares”). The Offered Shares are being registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) under a registration statement on Form S-1 as filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on June 19, 2020 (as amended, the “Registration Statement”).

This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 16 of Form S-1 and Item 601(b)(5)(i) of Regulation S-K.

For purposes of this opinion letter, we have examined copies of such agreements, instruments and documents as we have deemed an appropriate basis on which to render the opinions hereinafter expressed. In our examination of the aforesaid documents, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the accuracy and completeness of all documents submitted to us, the authenticity of all original documents, and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies (including pdfs). As to all matters of fact, we have relied on the representations and statements of fact made in the documents so reviewed, and we have not independently established the facts so relied on. This opinion letter is given, and all statements herein are made, in the context of the foregoing.

In examining all documents and in providing our opinions below we have assumed that:

 

  a)

all individuals had the requisite legal capacity;

 

  b)

all signatures are genuine;

 

 

 

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  -2-    LOGO

 

  c)

all documents submitted to us as originals are complete and authentic and all photostatic, certified, telecopied, notarial or other copies conform to the originals;

 

  d)

all facts set forth in the official public records, certificates and documents supplied by public officials or otherwise conveyed to us by public officials are complete, true and accurate as of the date hereof;

 

  e)

all facts set forth in the certificates supplied by the officers of the Company are complete, true and accurate as of the date hereof; and

 

  f)

prior to the issuance and delivery of the Offered Shares, the Company will receive, in cash, the full consideration in respect of the Offered Shares.

Our opinion below is expressed only with respect to the laws of the province of British Columbia and of the laws of Canada applicable therein in effect on the date of this opinion. We have no responsibility or obligation to: (i) update this opinion, (ii) take into account or inform the addressees or any other person of any changes in law, facts or other developments subsequent to this date that do or may affect the opinions we express, or (iii) advise the addressees or any other person of any other change in any matter addressed in this opinion.

Based on and relying on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Offered Shares will be duly authorized and validly issued as fully-paid and non-assessable when issued and delivered by the Company as described in the Registration Statement.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the SEC as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We also hereby consent to the use of our name under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent we do not admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder.

Yours truly,

/s/ FARRIS LLP

FARRIS LLP

Exhibit 8.1

 

LOGO

June 19, 2020

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.

815 W. Hastings Street, Suite 310

Vancouver, B.C. V6C 1B4

Canada

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc., a British Columbia corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Registration Statement relates to the proposed registration by the Company of up to an aggregate of $12 million of common shares, without par value, of the Company (the “Common Shares”). The issuance of the Common Shares identified in the Registration Statement is referred to herein as the offering (the “Offering”).

For purposes of this opinion, we have reviewed originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto and such other documents and matters of law and fact as we have considered necessary or appropriate. In addition, we have not made an independent investigation or audit of the facts set forth in the above referenced documents or otherwise provided to us. We have assumed (i) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies, (ii) that the Offering will be consummated as described in the Registration Statement; (iii) that the statements concerning the terms of the Offering set forth in the Registration Statement are true, complete and correct and will remain true, complete and correct at all relevant times; and (iv) that any such statements made in the Registration Statement qualified by knowledge, intention, belief or any other similar qualification are true, complete and correct, and will remain true, complete and correct at all relevant times, in each case as if made without such qualification. We also have relied on certain written representations of the Company contained in an Officer’s Certificate dated on or about the date hereof. If any of the above described assumptions are untrue for any reason or if the Offering is consummated in a manner that is different from the manner described in the Registration Statement, our opinion as expressed below may be adversely affected.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and our consideration of such other matters of fact and law as we have considered necessary or appropriate, we hereby confirm to you that the statements set forth under the caption “MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS” in the Registration Statement, to the extent such statements summarize U.S. federal income tax law, and subject to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions, and assumptions set forth herein and therein, constitute our opinion as to the material United States federal income tax consequences of the Offering to holders of Common Shares. We express no opinion on any issue relating to the tax consequences of the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement other than the opinion set forth above. Our opinion set forth above is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, administrative pronouncements and judicial precedents, all as of the date hereof. The foregoing authorities may be repealed, revoked or modified, and any such change may have retroactive effect. Any change in applicable laws or facts and circumstances surrounding the Offering, or any inaccuracy in the statements, facts, assumptions and representations on which we have relied may affect the validity of the opinion set forth herein. We assume no responsibility to inform the Company of any such change or inaccuracy that may occur or come to our attention.

 

 

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LOGO

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.

June 19, 2020

Page  2

 

Our opinion is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service or a court. There can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service will not take a contrary position or that a court would agree with our opinion if litigated.

We are furnishing this opinion in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement and this opinion is not to be relied upon for any other purpose without our prior written consent. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

Yours truly,

/s/ Dorsey & Whitney LLP

JH/KS

 

 

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Exhibit 10.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

2017 STOCK OPTION PLAN

(as approved by the Board of Directors on February 21, 2017 and
approved by the shareholders at the March 24, 2017 Special Meeting)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36582|3095239_3|RHM

 

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC. 2017 STOCK OPTION PLAN

(as approved by the board of directors on February 21, 2017 and

approved by the shareholders at the March 24, 2017 Special Meeting)

 

1. PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

 

1.1       Purpose of this Plan. The purpose of this Plan is to promote the interests of the Company by:

 

(a) furnishing certain directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or any Affiliate or other persons as the Compensation Committee may approve with greater incentive to further develop and promote the business and financial success of the Company;

 

(b) furthering the identity of interests of persons to whom Options may be granted with those of the shareholders of the Company generally through share ownership in the Company; and

 

(c) assisting the Company in attracting, retaining and motivating its directors, officers, employees and consultants.

 

The Company believes that these purposes may best be effected by granting of Options to Eligible Participants.

 

2. DEFINITIONS

 

2.1 Definitions. In this Plan, unless there is something in the subject matter or context inconsistent therewith, capitalized words and terms will have the following meanings:

 

(a) “Affiliate” means, in relation to the Company, an affiliate company as defined in the Securities Act;

 

(b) “Associate” means an associate as defined in the Securities Act;

 

(c) “Blackout Period” means: (i) to the extent that the Company has in place an insider trading policy or any similar policy, such period of time during which trading in securities of the Company by officers, directors and employees of the Company is prohibited by such policy; and (ii) such period or periods, as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors or chief executive officer of the Company, during which the officers, directors and employees of the Company are prohibited from trading in securities of the Company due to management or the Board of Directors having knowledge of material undisclosed information with respect the Company or its operations or assets;

36582|3095239_3|RHM

2  
(d) “Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company as constituted from time to time;

 

(e) “Change in Control” means:

 

(i) any merger or consolidation in which voting securities of the Company possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities are transferred to a person or persons different from the persons holding those securities immediately prior to such transaction and the composition of the Board of Directors following such transaction is such that the directors of the Company prior to the transaction constitute less than fifty percent (50%) of the Board of Directors membership following the transaction;

 

(ii) any acquisition, directly or indirectly, by a person or related group of persons (other than the Company or a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) of beneficial ownership of voting securities of the Company possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities;

 

(iii) any acquisition, directly or indirectly, by a person or related group of persons of the right to appoint a majority of the directors of the Company or otherwise directly or indirectly control the management, affairs and business of the Company;

 

(iv) any sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a non-Affiliate; and

 

(v) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

 

provided however, that a Change in Control shall not be deemed to have occurred if such Change in Control results solely from the issuance, in connection with a bona fide financing or series of financings by the Company or any of its Affiliates, of voting securities of the Company or any of its Affiliates or any rights to acquire voting securities of the Company or any of its Affiliates which are convertible into voting securities;

 

(f) “Common Shares” means the common shares in the capital of the Company as constituted on the Effective Date, provided that if the rights of any Participant are subsequently adjusted pursuant to Article 16 hereof, “Common Shares” thereafter means the shares or other securities or property which such Participant is entitled to purchase after giving effect to such adjustment;

 

(g) “Compensation Committee” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.1 of this Plan;

 

(h) “Company” means InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.;

36582|3095239_3|RHM

3  
(i) “Consultant” means any individual, corporation or other person engaged, from time to time, to provide valuable services to the Company or an Affiliate;

 

(j) “Director” shall mean a member of the Board of Directors.

 

(k) “Effective Date” has the meaning ascribed thereto by Section 3.1 of this Plan;

 

(l) “Eligible Person” means a director, officer, employee or Consultant of the Company or an Affiliate or a person otherwise approved by the Compensation Committee;

 

(m) “Exercise Price” means the price per Common Share at which a Participant may purchase Common Shares pursuant to an Option, provided that if such price is adjusted pursuant to Section 16.1 hereof, “Exercise Price” thereafter means the price per Common Share at which such Participant may purchase Common Shares pursuant to such Option after giving effect to such adjustment;

 

(n) “Fair Market Value” as it relates to Common Shares means:

 

(i) where the Common Shares are listed for trading on a Stock Exchange, the closing price of the Common Shares on such Stock Exchange as determined by the Compensation Committee, for the Trading Session on the day prior to the relevant time as it relates to an Option; or

 

(ii) where the Common Shares are not publicly traded, the value which is determined by the Compensation Committee to be the fair value of the Common Shares at the relevant time as it relates to an Option, taking into consideration all factors that the Compensation Committee deems appropriate, including, without limitation, recent sale and offer prices of the Common Shares in private transactions negotiated at arm’s length;

 

(o) “Insider” means:

 

(i) an insider as defined in the Securities Act; and

 

(ii) an Associate or Affiliate of any person who is an insider;

 

(p) Legacy Options” has the meaning ascribed thereto by Section 3.2 of this Plan;

 

(q) “Legal Representative” has the meaning ascribed thereto by Section 10.1 of this Plan;

 

(r) “Merger and Acquisition Transaction” means:

 

(i) any merger;

 

(ii) any acquisition;

 

(iii) any amalgamation;

36582|3095239_3|RHM

4  
(iv) any offer for shares of the Company which if successful would entitle the offeror to acquire all of the voting securities of the Company; or

 

(v)       any arrangement or other scheme of reorganization; that results in a Change in Control;

(s) “Non Blackout Trading Day” means a day on which (i) a Trading Session occurs, and (ii) no Blackout Period is in place;

 

(t) “Options” means stock options granted hereunder to purchase Common Shares from treasury pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof and as evidenced by an Option Agreement and “Option” means any one of them;

 

(u) “Option Agreement” means an agreement evidencing an Option, entered into by and between the Company and an Eligible Person;

 

(v) “Outstanding Common Shares” at the time of any share issuance or grant of Options means the number of Common Shares that are outstanding immediately prior to the share issuance or grant of Options in question, on a non-diluted basis, or such other number as may be determined under the applicable rules and regulations of all regulatory authorities to which the Company is subject, including the Stock Exchange;

 

(w) “Participant” means a person to whom an Option has been granted under this Plan;

 

(x) “Plan” means this InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2017 Option Plan, as the same may from time to time be supplemented or amended and in effect;

 

(y) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c.418, as amended from time to time;

 

(z) “Stock Exchange” means such stock exchange or other organized market on which the Common Shares are listed or posted for trading;

 

(aa)      “Trading Session” means a trading session on a day which the applicable Stock Exchange is open for trading;

 

3. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN AND APPLICATION

 

3.1       Effective Date of this Plan. The effective date (the “Effective Date”) of this Plan is March 24, 2017, the date on which this Plan was adopted by the shareholders of the Company.

 

3.2      Application of this Plan. This Plan applies to all Options granted under this Plan on or after the Effective Date and all stock options of the Company that are outstanding as of the Effective Date (the “Legacy Options”) notwithstanding that such Options were issued under a predecessor stock option plan of the Company. The term “Option” in this Plan shall be read to include all Legacy Options.

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4. COMMON SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN

 

4.1       Common Shares Subject to this Plan. Subject to adjustment as provided in Article 16 and the applicable rules and regulations of all regulatory authorities to which the Company is subject, including the Stock Exchange, the total number of Common Shares issuable from treasury by the Company pursuant to the Plan and all other securities-based compensation arrangements of the Company (including, for greater certainty, any Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of any Legacy Options) shall not exceed 20% of the issued and Outstanding Common Shares on a rolling basis. The number of Common Shares in respect of which Options may be granted pursuant to this Plan may be increased, decreased or fixed by the Board of Directors, as permitted under the applicable rules and regulations of all regulatory authorities to which the Company is subject, including the Stock Exchange.

 

4.2       Computation of Available Shares. For the purposes of computing the number of Common Shares available for grant under this Plan, Common Shares subject to any Option (or any portion thereof) that have expired or are forfeited, surrendered, cancelled or otherwise terminated prior to the issuance or transfer of such Common Shares and Common Shares subject to an Option (or any portion thereof) that is settled in cash in lieu of settlement in Common Shares shall again be available for grant under this Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Common Shares subject to an Option that are withheld or otherwise not issued (upon an exercise of any Option) in order to satisfy the Participant’s withholding obligations or in payment of any Option Exercise Price shall reduce the number of Common Shares available for grant under the limitations set forth in this Article 4.

 

4.3       Reservation of Shares. The Board of Directors will reserve for allotment from time to time out of the authorized but unissued Common Shares sufficient Common Shares to provide for issuance of all Common Shares which are issuable under all outstanding Options.

 

4.4       No Fractional Shares. No fractional Common Shares may be purchased or issued under this Plan.

 

5. ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN

 

5.1       Administration of Plan. The Board of Directors may at any time appoint a committee (the “Compensation Committee”) to, among other things, interpret, administer and implement this Plan on behalf of the Board of Directors in accordance with such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may prescribe, consistent with this Plan (provided that if at any such time such a committee has not been appointed by the Board of Directors or the Board of Directors otherwise determines, this Plan will be administered by the Board of Directors, and in such event references herein to the Compensation Committee shall be construed to be a reference to the Board of Directors). The Board of Directors will take such steps which in its opinion are required to ensure that the Compensation Committee has the necessary authority to fulfil its functions under this Plan.

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5.2       Option Agreements. Each Option will be evidenced by an Option Agreement which incorporates such terms and conditions as the Compensation Committee in its discretion deems appropriate and consistent with the provisions of this Plan (and the execution and delivery by the Company of an Option Agreement with a Participant shall be conclusive evidence that such Option Agreement incorporates terms and conditions approved by the Compensation Committee and is consistent with the provisions of this Plan). Each Option Agreement will be executed by the Participant to whom the Option is granted and on behalf of the Company by any member of the Compensation Committee or any officer of the Company or such other person as the Compensation Committee may designate for such purpose.

 

5.3       Powers of Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is authorized, subject to the provisions of this Plan, to establish from time to time such rules and regulations, make such determinations and to take such steps in connection with this Plan as in the opinion of the Compensation Committee are necessary or desirable for the proper administration of this Plan. For greater certainty, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Compensation Committee will have the power, where consistent with the general purpose and intent of this Plan and subject to the specific provisions of this Plan and any approval of the Stock Exchange, if applicable:

 

(a) to interpret and construe this Plan and any Option Agreement and to determine all questions arising out of this Plan and any Option Agreement, and any such interpretation, construction or determination made by the Compensation Committee will be final, binding and conclusive for all purposes;

 

(b) to determine to which Eligible Persons Options are granted, and to grant Options;

 

(c) to determine the number of Common Shares issuable pursuant to each Option;

 

(d) to determine the Exercise Price for each Option;

 

(e) to determine the time or times when Options will be granted, vest and be exerciseable, as applicable;

 

(f) to determine the vesting terms of Options, which may be based upon the passage of time, continued employment or service, on the basis of corporate or personal performance objectives, or any combination of the foregoing as determined by the Compensation Committee;

 

(g) to determine any acceleration of vesting;

 

(h) to determine if the Common Shares that are subject to an Option will be subject to any restrictions or repurchase rights upon the exercise or settlement of such Option including, where applicable, the endorsement of a legend on any certificate representing Common Shares acquired on the exercise or settlement of any Option to the effect that such Common Shares may not be offered, sold or delivered except in compliance with the applicable securities laws and regulations of Canada, the United States or any other country and if any rights or restrictions exist they will be described in the applicable Option Agreement;

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(i) to determine the expiration date for each Option and to extend the period of time for which any Option is to remain exercisable or may be settled in appropriate circumstances, including, without limitation, in the event of the Participant’s cessation of employment or service, subject to compliance with Section 8.1(a) and Article 14 of this Plan;

 

(j) to prescribe the form of the instruments relating to the grant, exercise, or settlement, as applicable, and other terms of Options;

 

(k) to enter into an Option Agreement evidencing each Option which will incorporate such terms as the Compensation Committee in its discretion deems consistent with this Plan;

 

(l) to take such steps and require such documentation from Eligible Persons which in its opinion are necessary or desirable to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations of the Stock Exchange and all applicable laws;

 

(m) to adopt such modifications, procedures and subplans as may be necessary or desirable to comply with the provisions of the laws of Canada, the United States and other countries in which the Company or its Affiliates may operate to ensure the viability and maximization of the benefits from the Options granted to Participants residing in such countries and to meet the objectives of this Plan; and

 

(n) to determine such other matters as provided for herein.

 

6. GRANT OF OPTIONS

 

Subject to the rules set out below, the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors (or in the case of any proposed Participant who is a member of the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors) may from time to time grant to any Eligible Person one or more Options as the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors deems appropriate.

 

6.1       Date Option Granted. The date on which an Option will be deemed to have been granted under this Plan will be the date on which the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors, as applicable, authorizes the grant of such Option or such other date as may be specified by the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors, as applicable, at the time of such authorization.

 

6.2       Number of Common Shares/Maximum Grant. Subject to the applicable rules and regulations of all regulatory authorities to which the Company is subject, including the Stock Exchange, and Article 4 of this Plan, the number of Common Shares that may be purchased under any Option will be determined by the Compensation Committee.

 

6.3       Exercise Price. The Exercise Price per Common Share under each Option will be determined by the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, but will in no event be less than the Fair Market Value of the date of the grant.

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6.4       Vesting Terms. Subject to Sections 8.3 and 16.3 of this Plan, Options shall become vested at such times, in such instalments, and subject to such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Compensation Committee and set forth in the applicable Option Agreement.

 

7. EXERCISE OF OPTIONS

 

7.1       Exercise of Options. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan, the Compensation Committee may impose such limitations or conditions on the exercise or vesting of any Option as the Compensation Committee in its discretion deems appropriate, including limiting the number of Common Shares for which any Option may be exercised during any period as may be specified by the Compensation Committee and which number of Common Shares for which such Option may be exercised in any period will be specified in the Option Agreement with respect to such Option. Each Option Agreement will provide that the Option granted thereunder may be exercised only by notice signed by the Participant or the Legal Representative of the Participant and accompanied by full payment for the Common Shares being purchased. Such consideration may be paid in any combination of the following:

 

(a) cash, bank draft or certified cheque; or

 

(b) such other consideration as the Compensation Committee may permit consistent with applicable laws.

 

As soon as practicable after any exercise of an Option, a certificate or certificates representing the Common Shares in respect of which such Option is exercised will be delivered by the Company to the Participant.

 

7.2       Net Exercises. Notwithstanding Section 7.1, the Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, permit an Option to be exercised by delivering to the Participant a number Common Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date of exercise) equal to the excess, if positive, of the Fair Market Value of the Common Shares underlying the Options being exercised on the date of exercise, over the exercise price of the Option for such Common Shares.

 

7.3       Conditions. Notwithstanding any of the provisions contained in this Plan or in any Option Agreement, the Company’s obligation to issue Common Shares to a Participant pursuant to the exercise of an Option will be subject to, if applicable:

 

(a) completion of such registration or other qualification of such Common Shares or obtaining approval of such governmental authority as the Company will determine to be necessary or advisable in connection with the authorization, issuance or sale thereof;

 

(b) the admission of such Common Shares to listing or quotation on the Stock Exchange; and

 

(c) the receipt from the Participant of such representations, agreements and undertakings, including as to future dealings in such Common Shares, as the Company or its counsel determines to be necessary or advisable in order to safeguard against the violation of the securities laws of any jurisdiction.

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8. TERM OF OPTIONS

 

8.1       Term of Options. Unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, each Option granted pursuant to this Plan will, subject to the provisions of this Plan, expire automatically on the earlier of:

 

(a) the date determined by the Compensation Committee and specified in the Option Agreement pursuant to which such Option is granted, provided that such date may not be, subject to Article 14 later than the earlier of (A) the date which is the tenth anniversary of the date on which such Option is granted, and (B) the latest date permitted under the applicable rules and regulations of all regulatory authorities to which the Company is subject, including the Stock Exchange;

 

(b) in the event the Participant ceases to be an Eligible Person for any reason, other than the death of the Participant or the termination of the Participant for cause, such period of time after the date on which the Participant ceases to be an Eligible Person as may be specified by the Compensation Committee or as specified in an agreement among the Participant and the Company, and in the absence of such specification or agreement, will be deemed to be the date that is three months following the date on which the Company provides notice in writing to the Participant that the Participant has ceased to be an Eligible Person;

 

(c) in the event of the termination of the Participant as a director, officer, employee or Consultant of the Company or an Affiliate for cause, the date of such termination;

 

(d) in the event of the death of a Participant prior to: (A) the Participant ceasing to be an Eligible Person; or (B) the date which is the number of days specified by the Compensation Committee pursuant to subparagraph (b) above from the date on which the Participant ceased to be an Eligible Person; the date which is one year after the date of death of such Participant or such other date as may be specified by the Compensation Committee and which period will be specified in the Option Agreement with the Participant with respect to such Option; and

 

(e) notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of subparagraphs (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 8.1, the Compensation Committee may, subject Article 15 and to regulatory approval, at any time prior to expiry of an Option extend the period of time within which an Option may be exercised by a Participant who has ceased to be an Eligible Person, but such an extension shall not be granted beyond the original expiry date of the Option as provided for in subparagraph (a) above.

 

8.2       Options Cease to Vest. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as expressly permitted by the Compensation Committee, all Options will cease to vest as at the date upon which the Participant ceases to be an Eligible Person.

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8.3       Accelerated Vesting of Options on Death. In the event of the death of the Participant prior to the Participant ceasing to be an Eligible Person, the Compensation Committee may exercise its discretion to provide for the immediate vesting of all, or a portion of, the then unvested Options of such Participant.

 

8.4       Termination of a Participant for Cause. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof or in any Option Agreement, in the case of a Participant’s termination for cause, any and all then outstanding Options granted to the Participant, whether or not vested, shall be immediately forfeited and cancelled, without any consideration therefore, and any and all rights of such Participant with respect to and arising from this Plan or any Option Agreement shall terminate, as of the commencement of the date that notice of such termination is given, without regard to any period of reasonable notice or any salary continuance, unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee.

 

9. CHANGE IN STATUS

 

9.1       A change in the status, office, position or duties of a Participant from the status, office, position or duties held by such Participant on the date on which the Option was granted to such Participant will not result in the termination of the Option granted to such Participant provided that such Participant remains a director, officer, employee or Consultant of the Company or an Affiliate.

 

10. NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS

 

10.1       Each Option Agreement will provide that the Options granted thereunder are not transferable or assignable and may be exercised or settled, as the case may be, only by the Participant or, in the event of the death of the Participant or the appointment of a committee or duly appointed attorney of the Participant or of the estate of the Participant on the grounds that the Participant is incapable, by reason of physical or mental infirmity, of managing their affairs, the Participant’s legal representative or such committee or attorney, as the case may be (the “Legal Representative”).

 

11. REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS OF PARTICIPANTS

 

11.1       Each Option Agreement will contain representations and covenants of the Participant that:

 

(a) the Participant is a director, officer, employee, or Consultant of the Company or an Affiliate or a person otherwise approved as an “Eligible Person” under this Plan by the Compensation Committee;

 

(b) the Participant has not been induced to enter into such Option Agreement by the expectation of employment or continued employment with the Company or an Affiliate;

 

(c) the Participant is aware that the grant of the Options and the issuance by the Company of Common Shares thereunder are exempt from the obligation under applicable securities laws to file a prospectus or other registration document qualifying the distribution of the Options or the Common Shares to be distributed thereunder under any applicable securities laws;

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(d) upon each exercise or settlement of an Option, the Participant, or the Legal Representative of the Participant, as the case may be, will, if requested by the Company, represent and agree in writing that the person is, or the Participant was, a director, officer, employee or Consultant of the Company or an Affiliate or a person otherwise approved as an “Eligible Person” under this Plan by the Compensation Committee and has not been induced to purchase the Common Shares by expectation of employment or continued employment with the Company or an Affiliate, and that such person is not aware of any commission or other remuneration having been paid or given to others in respect of the trade in the Common Shares; and

 

(e) if the Participant or the Legal Representative of the Participant exercises or settles the Option, the Participant or the Legal Representative, as the case may be, will prior to and upon any sale or disposition of any Common Shares received pursuant to the exercise or settlement of the Option, comply with all applicable securities laws and all applicable rules and regulations of all regulatory authorities to which the Company is subject, including the Stock Exchange, and will not offer, sell or deliver any of such Common Shares, directly or indirectly, in the United States or to any citizen or resident of, or any corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of, the United States, or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, except in compliance with the securities laws of the United States.

 

12. PROVISIONS RELATED TO SHARE ISSUANCES

 

12.1       Each Option Agreement will contain such provisions as in the opinion of the Compensation Committee are required to ensure that no Common Shares are issued on the exercise or settlement of an Option unless the Compensation Committee is satisfied that the issuance of such Common Shares will be exempt from all registration or qualification requirements of applicable securities laws and will be permitted under the applicable rules and regulations of all regulatory authorities to which the Company is subject, including the Stock Exchange. In particular, if required by any regulatory authority to which the Company is subject, including the Stock Exchange, an Option Agreement may provide that shareholder approval to the grant of an Option must be obtained prior to the exercise or settlement of the Option or to the amendment of the Option Agreement.

 

13. WITHHOLDING TAX

 

13.1       The Participant will be solely responsible for paying any applicable withholding taxes arising from the grant, vesting, exercise or settlement of any Option and payment is to be made in a manner satisfactory to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will have the right to withhold from any Option or any Common Shares issuable pursuant to an Option or from any cash amounts otherwise due or to become due from the Company to the Participant, an amount equal to any such taxes.

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14. EXERCISE AND SETTLEMENT OF OPTIONS DURING BLACKOUT PERIODS

 

14.1       Adjustment for Exercise of Options during Blackout Periods. Where the expiry date of an Option occurs during a Blackout Period or within ten Non-Blackout Trading Days following the end of a Blackout Period, the expiry date for such Option shall be the date which is ten Non-Blackout Trading Days following the end of such Blackout Period.

 

15. SUSPENSION, AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF PLAN

 

15.1       Suspension, Amendment or Termination of Plan. The Compensation Committee will have the right at any time to suspend, amend or terminate this Plan and, subject to Section 15.2, may:

 

(a) with approval of shareholders of the Company by ordinary resolution make any amendment to any Option Agreement or the Plan; and

 

(b) without approval of shareholders of the Company make the following amendments to any Option Agreement or the Plan:

 

(i) amendments of a clerical nature, including but not limited to the correction of grammatical or typographical errors or clarification of terms;

 

(ii) amendments to reflect any requirements of any regulatory authorities to which the Company is subject, including the Stock Exchange;

 

(iii) subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, amendments to vesting provisions of Option Agreements;

 

(iv) extend the term of Options held by non-Insiders of the Company;

 

(v) reduce the Exercise Price per Common Share under any Option held by non-Insiders of the Company or replace such Option with a lower Exercise Price per Common Share under such replacement Option; and

 

(vi) amendments which provide cashless exercise features to an Option that require the full deduction of the number of underlying Common Shares from the total number of Common Shares subject to the Plan.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, all procedures and necessary approvals required under the applicable rules and regulations of all regulatory authorities to which the Company is subject shall be complied with and obtained in connection with any such suspension, termination or amendment to the Plan or amendments to any Option Agreement.

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15.2       Limitations. In exercising its rights pursuant to Section 15.1, the Compensation Committee will not have the right to:

 

(a) make any amendment to any Option Agreement or the Plan which requires the approval of the shareholders of the Company under the applicable rules and regulations of the regulatory authorities to which the Company is subject, including the Stock Exchange, without first obtaining such required shareholder approval except as permitted pursuant to Article 16;

 

(b) affect in a manner that is adverse or prejudicial to, or that impairs, the benefits and rights of any Participant under any Option previously granted under this Plan (except as permitted pursuant to Article 16 and except for the purpose of complying with applicable securities laws or the bylaws, rules and regulations of any regulatory authority to which the Company is subject, including the Stock Exchange);

 

(c) decrease the number of Common Shares which may be purchased pursuant to any Option (except as permitted pursuant to Article 16) without the consent of such Participant;

 

(d) set the Exercise Price of any Option below the Fair Market Value of such Option on the date of grant;

 

(e) increase the Exercise Price at which Common Shares may be purchased pursuant to any Option (except as permitted pursuant to Article 16) without the consent of such Participant;

 

(f) extend the term of any Option beyond a period of ten years or the latest date permitted under the applicable rules and regulations of all regulatory authorities to which the Company is subject, including the Stock Exchange; or

 

(g) grant any Option if this Plan is suspended or has been terminated.

 

15.3       Powers of Compensation Committee Survive Termination. The full powers of the Compensation Committee as provided for in this Plan will survive the termination of this Plan until all Options have been exercised or settled in full or have otherwise expired.

 

16. ADJUSTMENTS

 

16.1       Adjustments. Appropriate adjustments in the number of Common Shares subject to this Plan, as regards Options granted or to be granted, in the Option Exercise Price of an Option, in the number of Common Shares to be issued or cash payments to be made in respect of the settlement of any Option, or any other matter of will be conclusively determined by the Compensation Committee to give effect to adjustments in the number of Common Shares resulting from subdivisions, consolidations, substitutions, or reclassifications of the Common Shares, the payment of stock dividends by the Company (other than dividends in the ordinary course) or other relevant changes in the capital of the Company or from a proposed merger, amalgamation or other corporate arrangement or reorganization involving the exchange or replacement of Common Shares of the Company for those in another corporation. Any dispute that arises at any time with respect to any such adjustment will be conclusively determined by the Compensation Committee, and any such determination will be binding on the Company, the Participant and all other affected parties.

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16.2       Merger and Acquisition Transaction. In the event of a Merger and Acquisition Transaction or proposed Merger and Acquisition Transaction, the Compensation Committee, at its option, may do any of the following:

 

(a) the Compensation Committee may, in a fair and equitable manner, determine the manner in which all unexercised Options or unsettled Options granted under this Plan will be treated including, without limitation, requiring the acceleration of the time for the exercise or settlement of Options by the Participants, the time for the fulfilment of any conditions or restrictions on such exercise or settlement, and the time for the expiry of such rights; or

 

(b) the Compensation Committee or any corporation which is or would be the successor to the Company or which may issue securities in exchange for Common Shares upon the Merger and Acquisition Transaction becoming effective may offer any Participant the opportunity to obtain a new or replacement awards over any securities into which the Common Shares are changed or are convertible or exchangeable, on a basis proportionate to the number of Common Shares under Option, including Exercise Price, as applicable (and otherwise substantially upon the terms of the Option being replaced, or upon terms no less favourable to the Participant) including, without limitation, the periods during which the Option may be exercised or settled and expiry dates of such Options; and in such event, the Participant shall, if he accepts such offer, be deemed to have released his Option over the Common Shares and such Option shall be deemed to have lapsed and be cancelled; or

 

(c) the Compensation Committee may commute for or into any other security or any other property or cash, any Option that is still capable of being exercised or settled, upon giving to the Participant to whom such Option has been granted at least 30 days written notice of its intention to commute such Option, and during such period of notice, the Option, to the extent it has not been exercised or settled, may be exercised or settled by the Participant without regard to any vesting conditions attached thereto; and on the expiry of such period of notice, the unexercised or unsettled portion of the Option shall lapse and be cancelled.

 

Section 16.1 and subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 16.2 are intended to be permissive and may be utilized independently or successively in combination or otherwise, and nothing therein contained shall be construed as limiting or affecting the ability of the Compensation Committee to deal with Options in any other manner. All determinations by the Compensation Committee under this Section will be final, binding and conclusive for all purposes.

 

16.3       Accelerated Vesting on Change in Control. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, all outstanding Options (including, for greater certainty, any outstanding Legacy Options) shall become immediately vested and exercisable upon: (i) the Company entering into a definitive agreement with respect to a Merger and Acquisition Transaction; or (ii) a Change in Control of the Company. For greater clarity, any Options that become vested in the circumstances contemplated by this Section 16.3 may only be exercised on a Non Blackout Trading Day.

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16.4       Limitations. The grant of Options under this Plan will in no way affect the Company’s right to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or business structure or to merge, amalgamate, reorganize, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets or engage in any like transaction.

 

16.5       No Fractional Shares. No adjustment or substitution provided for in this Article 16 will require the Company to issue a fractional share in respect of any Option and the total substitution or adjustment with respect to each Option will be limited accordingly.

 

17. GENERAL

 

17.1       No Rights as Shareholder. Nothing herein or otherwise shall be construed so as to confer on any Participant any rights as a shareholder of the Company with respect to any Common Shares reserved for the purpose of any Option.

 

17.2       No Effect on Employment. Nothing in this Plan or any Option Agreement will confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ of or under contract with the Company or an Affiliate or affect in any way the right of the Company or any such Affiliate to terminate his or her employment at any time or terminate his or her consulting contract; nor will anything in this Plan or any Option Agreement be deemed or construed to constitute an agreement, or an expression of intent, on the part of the Company or any such Affiliate to extend the employment of any Participant beyond the time that he or she would normally be retired pursuant to the provisions of any present or future retirement plan of the Company or an Affiliate or any present or future retirement policy of the Company or an Affiliate, or beyond the time at which he or she would otherwise be retired pursuant to the provisions of any contract of employment with the Company or an Affiliate. Neither any period of notice nor any payment in lieu thereof upon termination of employment shall be considered as extending the period of employment for the purposes of the Plan.

 

17.3       No Fettering of Directors’ Discretion. Nothing contained in this Plan will restrict or limit or be deemed to restrict or limit the right or power of the Board of Directors in connection with any allotment and issuance of Common Shares which are not allotted and issued under this Plan including, without limitation, with respect to other compensation arrangements.

 

17.4       Applicable Law. The Plan and any Option Agreement granted hereunder will be governed, construed and administered in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the laws of Canada applicable therein.

 

17.5       Interpretation. References herein to any gender include all genders and to the plural includes the singular and vice versa. The insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and will not affect the construction or interpretation of this Plan.

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17.6 Reference. This Plan may be referred to as the “InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2017 Option Plan”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36582|3095239_3|RHM

Exhibit 10.2

 

 

 

 

 

STOCK OPTION PLAN - OPTION AGREEMENT

 

This Option Agreement is entered into between INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC. (the "Company") and the Optionee named below pursuant to the Company Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"), a copy of which is attached hereto, and confirms that:

 

1. on (the "Grant Date");

 

2. (the "Optionee");

 

3. was granted the option (the “Option”) to purchase Common Shares (the "Option Shares") of the Company;

 

4. for the price (the "Option Price") of $● per share;

 

5. The following vesting provisions: complete vesting shall occur over a period of not less than 18 months as follows:

 

6. terminating on the (the “Expiry Date”);

 

all on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in the Plan. The Option Shares shall continue to be exercisable until the termination or cancellation thereof as provided in this Option Agreement and the Plan. However, should the Optionee cease to be an officer, director, employee or consultant (“Eligible Person”) due to his or her termination by the Company other than for cause, or due to his or her voluntary resignation, the Option then held by the Optionee shall be exercisable to acquire vested unissued Option Shares at any time up to but not after the earlier of the Expiry Date and the date which is ninety (90) days after the Optionee ceases to be an Eligible Person.

 

To exercise your Option, deliver a written notice specifying the number of Optioned Shares you wish to acquire, together with cash or a certified cheque payable to the Company for the aggregate Option Price, to the Company. A certificate for the Optioned Shares so acquired will be issued by the transfer agent as soon as practicable thereafter.

 

The Company and the Optionee represent that the Optionee under the terms and conditions of the Plan is a bona fide [DIRECTOR/ OFFICER/ EMPLOYEE/ CONSULTANT/ of the Company, entitled to receive Options under Canadian National Stock Exchange Polices.

 

By signing this Option Agreement, the Optionee acknowledges that the Optionee has read and understands the Plan and agrees to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.

 

Acknowledgement – Personal Information

 

The undersigned hereby acknowledges and consents to:

 

(a) the disclosure to the Canadian National Stock Exchange and all other regulatory authorities of all personal information of the undersigned obtained by the Company; and

 

(b) the collection, use and disclosure of such personal information by the Canadian National Stock Exchange and all other regulatory authorities in accordance with their requirements, including the provision to third party service providers, from time to time.

 

 

Suite 350 - 409 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 1T2 | T: 604.669.7207 | F: 604.683.2506 | www.inmedpharma.com

 

 
 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Option Agreement as of the

day of ● 20___.

 

 

 

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

 

Signature   Per:
      Authorized Signatory
Print Name    
     

Address

   
     

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

STOCK OPTION PLAN – EXERCISE NOTICE

 

To:       INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC. (the “Company”)

 

The undersigned hereby irrevocably gives notice, pursuant to the Company’s stock option plan (the “Plan”), of the exercise of the option to acquire and hereby subscribes for:

 

(a) all of the shares; or

 

(b) ____________________ of the shares, which are the subject of the option certificate attached hereto.

 

Calculation of the total exercise price:

 

(i)             number of shares to be acquired on exercise: ___________________ shares
   
(ii)            multiplied by the exercise price per share: $ __________________
   
(iii)           withholding taxes calculated $ __________________
   
          TOTAL EXERCISE PRICE, enclosed herewith: $ __________________

 

The undersigned tenders herewith a certified cheque, bank draft or wire transfer in an amount equal to the total exercise price of the aforesaid shares, as calculated above, and directs the Company to issue the share certificate evidencing said shares in the name of the undersigned to be mailed to the undersigned at the following address:

 

 

________________________

________________________

________________________

 

DATED the _________ day of ______________, 20___.

 

 

Signature of Option Holder
 
 
Name of Option Holder (please print)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suite 350 - 409 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 1T2 | T: 604.669.7207 | F: 604.683.2506 | www.inmedpharma.com

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT made this 8th day of April, 2020 (the “Effective Date”)

 

BETWEEN:

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC., a company incorporated
under the laws of British Columbia (the “Company”), with offices at Suite 310, 815 West Hastings St., Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 1B4 Facsimile: (604) 683-2506

 

AND:

 

ERIC A. ADAMS (the “Executive”), of 1643 Haywood Ave., West Vancouver, British Columbia V7V 1W6

 

WHEREAS:

 

A.       The Company is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that specializes in developing therapies through the research and development of novel, cannabinoid-based therapies combined with innovative drug delivery systems;

 

B.       The Executive has the expertise, qualifications and required certifications to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement;

 

C.       The Company and the Executive entered into an executive employment agreement dated June 16, 2016, as amended, (the “Original Agreement”) for the performance of such services, and the parties now desire to amend and restate the Original Agreement on the terms and conditions herein set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged.

 

NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. EMPLOYMENT

 

(a) The Executive will be employed by and will serve the Company as its President & CEO and as a member of the Board of Directors and will have powers and duties consistent with such position as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”). The Executive will report directly to the Board and will perform the duties and responsibilities assigned to the Executive from time to time by the Board. The Executive will comply with all lawful instructions given by the Board.

 

 

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(b) The terms and conditions of this Agreement will have effect as and from the Effective Date and the Executive’s employment as President & CEO will continue until terminated as provided for in this Agreement.

 

(c) The Executive acknowledges and agrees that in addition to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Executive’s employment with the Company is subject to and governed by the Company’s policies as established from time to time. The Executive agrees to comply with the terms of such policies so long as they are not inconsistent with any provisions of the Agreement. The Executive will inform himself of the details of such policies and amendments thereto established from time to time.

 

(d) The Executive will devote himself exclusively to the Company’s business and will not be employed or engaged in any capacity in any other business without the prior permission of the Board, such permission not to be unreasonably withheld. For greater certainty, the Executive will not serve as a director of any pharmaceutical or biotechnology company, firm, organization, enterprise, association or other similar entity, without the prior permission of the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive may manage his personal investments or engage charitable or other community activities as long as those services and activities do not interfere with the Executive’s performance of his duties to the Company.

 

(e) The parties acknowledge and agree that the Confidentiality and Assignment of Inventions Agreement executed by the parties dated June 16, 2016 in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A shall remain in full force and effect.

 

2. REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

 

(a) Base Salary.

 

(i) The Company will pay the Executive an annual salary of $385,700 per annum less required deductions (the “Base Salary).

 

(ii) The Base Salary will be payable semi-monthly. The Executive’s Base Salary will be reviewed annually by the Board and the compensation committee of the Company in accordance with the Company’s annual performance and compensation review process, including consideration of the Company’s market capitalization and financial stability, and is subject to increase but not decrease, except for an across-the-board salary reduction affecting all or substantially all senior executives of the Company, nor will it necessarily result in an increase to the Base Salary. The base salary in effect at any given time is referred to as “Base Salary” and this Agreement need not be modified to reflect a change in Base Salary. The Base Salary is subject to withholding and payable in a manner that is consistent with the Company’s usual payroll practices for senior executives.

 

(b) Bonus. The Executive is eligible to be considered for an annual discretionary bonus of up to 40% of Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”) which will be subject to the

 

 

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    approval of the Board and the compensation committee of the Company, in their sole discretion, on an annual basis in accordance with the Company’s annual performance and compensation review process, including consideration of the Company’s market capitalization and financial stability. Payment of a bonus in any one year will not indicate the payment of a bonus in any other year.

 

(c) Equity Compensation. The parties acknowledge that upon execution of the Original Agreement, the Executive received 1,000,000 freely trading shares in the capital stock of the Company issued from Treasury at Market price on the date of the Treasury Order.

 

(d) Stock Options. The Executive’s allotment of stock options in the capital of the Company shall be 4,000,000 stock options (the “Options”) pursuant to the Company’s Incentive Stock Option Plan (the “Stock Option Plan”). If the Company has granted any stock options to the Executive prior to the Original Agreement Date, then the number of stock options so granted will be deducted from the number of Options to be issued to the Executive hereunder, so that the total number of stock options granted to the Executive is 4,000,000 stock options. The Options shall be priced at Market price in accordance with and subject to the Option policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange and the Company’s Insider Trading Guidelines and the blackout provisions therein. The Options will vest as follows:

 

Type of Option Total Number
of Options
Vesting Number Vesting Date
From Consulting Agreement dated 16 May 2016 2,000,000 150,000 16 May 2016
150,000 45 days after
16 May 2016
300,000 6 months after
16 May 2016
500,000 12 months after
16 May 2016
900,000 18 months after
16 May 2016
Options issued with
Original Agreement
2,000,000 500,000 16 June 2016
500,000 1 year after
16 June 2016
1,000,000 Achievement of either of the milestones below:

 

(A) the listing of the Company’s stock on either the AIM (London Stock Exchange), the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), NASDAQ or similar exchange; or

 

(B) the Company successfully closing, after June 16, 2016, equity financing transactions, exercising of any warrants or options, mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, licensing agreements or other business

 

 

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    development activities raising, in aggregate, gross proceeds of at least C$10,000,000 for the Company.

 

(e) The Options will cease to vest on the Date of Termination of this Agreement (as defined in Section 5(g)). The terms and conditions relating to the Options will be subject to the Option Agreement that is entered into concurrently with the Original Agreement, as well as the Stock Option Plan. If there is any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Stock Option Plan, the terms of the Stock Option Plan will govern. If there is any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Option Agreement, the terms of this Agreement will govern to the extent of the conflict.

 

(f) Expenses. The Company will reimburse the Executive for all reasonable expenses actually and properly incurred by the Executive in performing services under this Agreement, in accordance with the policies and procedures then in effect and established by the Company for its senior executives. The Executive will provide the Company with receipts supporting the Executive’s claims for reimbursement.

 

(g) Other Benefits. The Company will facilitate the Executive’s enrolment in the Company’s insurance benefits plans, if any, as may be amended from time to time by the Company or the Company’s insurance carrier. In all cases, eligibility to participate in the plans and to receive benefits under the plans will be subject to the terms and requirements of the applicable insurance carrier in accordance with the formal benefits plan documents and policies. Any issues with respect to entitlement to or payment of benefits under the benefits package will be governed by the terms of such documents and policies. The Company will not be responsible for the payment of benefits in any circumstance. Further, the Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend, change or terminate any of the insurance benefit plans or providers.

 

(h) Vacation. The Executive is entitled to paid holidays and vacation days each year, in an amount determined in accordance with and subject to the Company’s applicable policies in effect, and as may be amended from time to time. The Executive will be entitled to 30 days of vacation per calendar year, which will be pro-rated for any year in which the Executive is only employed with the Company for a portion of the year or for any period in which the Executive is not a full-time employee. Vacation days will be scheduled at times that are mutually acceptable to the Executive and the Company. Carry-over of vacation days will be according to Company policy, and any accrued but unused vacation days will be paid out upon termination or otherwise as per Company policies.

 

3. NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION

 

(a) The biotechnology industry is highly competitive and employees leaving the employ of the Company have the ability to cause significant damage to the Company’s interests if they join a competing business immediately upon leaving the Company.

 

 

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(b) Definitions:

 

(i) Business” or “Business of the Company” means the researching, developing, commercializing, producing and marketing novel, cannabinoid-based therapies combined with innovative drug delivery systems.

 

(ii) Competing Business” means any endeavor, activity or business which is competitive in any material way with the Business of the Company worldwide.

 

(iii) Contact” means any person, firm, corporation or other entity that was a client, customer, supplier, principal, shareholder, investor, collaborator, strategic partner, licensee, contact or prospect of the Company (or of its partners or funders) with whom the Executive dealt or otherwise became aware of during the term of the Executive’s employment in any capacity with the Company.

 

(iv) Restricted Period” means a period of 12 months.

 

(c) Reasonableness. The Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that:

 

(i) both before and since the commencement of the Executive’s employment by the Company, the Company has operated and competed and will operate and compete worldwide, with respect to the Business of the Company;

 

(ii) competitors of the Company and the Business are located worldwide;

 

(iii) in order to protect the Company adequately, any enjoinder of competition would have to apply to any country in which the Company, during the term of the Executive’s employment, had material business relationships;

 

(iv) during the course of the Executive’s employment with the Company, on behalf of the Company, the Executive will acquire knowledge of, and will come into contact with, initiate and establish relationships with, both existing and new clients, customers, suppliers, principals, contacts and prospects of the Company, and that in some circumstances the Executive may become the senior or sole representative of the Company dealing with such persons; and

 

(v) in light of the foregoing, the provisions of this Article 3 are reasonable and necessary for the proper protection of the Business of the Company.

 

(d) Restrictive Covenant. Except as set forth on Exhibit C attached hereto, during the term of the Executive’s employment and for the Restricted Period after the termination thereof, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Board, such consent to be granted or withheld in the Board’s sole discretion, within the geographic scope of any country in which the Company, during the term of the Executive’s employment, had material business relationships, carry on or be employed by or engaged in or have any financial or other interest in or be otherwise commercially involved in a Competing Business, directly or indirectly, either individually or in partnership or jointly or in conjunction with any person, firm,

 

 

- 6 -

 

corporation or other entity, as principal, agent, consultant, advisor, employee, shareholder or in any manner whatsoever. 

 

(e) Exception. The Executive shall not be in default of Section 3(d) by virtue of the Executive:

 

(i) following the termination of employment, holding, strictly for portfolio purposes and as a passive investor, no more than five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding shares of, or any other interest in, any corporation or other entity which is listed on any recognized stock exchange, that is a Competing Business; or

 

(ii) during the term of the Executive’s employment, holding, strictly for portfolio purposes and as a passive investor, issued and outstanding shares of, or any other interest in, any corporation or other entity, the business of which corporation or other entity is in the same Business as the Company provided such corporation is not a Competing Business, and provided further that the Executive first obtains the Company’s written consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

If the Executive holds issued and outstanding shares or any other interest in a corporation or other entity pursuant to Section 3(e)(ii) above, and following the acquisition of such shares or other interest the business of the corporation or other entity becomes a Competing Business, the Executive will promptly dispose of the Executive’s shares or other interest in such corporation or other entity.

 

(f) Non-Solicitation. The Executive shall not, during the term of the Executive’s employment and for the Restricted Period after the termination thereof for any reason, whether legal or illegal, either individually or in partnership or jointly or in conjunction with any person, firm, corporation or other entity, as principal, agent, consultant, advisor, employee, shareholder or in any manner whatsoever, without the prior written and informed consent of the Company, directly or indirectly:

 

(i) canvass or solicit the business of (or procure or assist the canvassing or soliciting of the business of) any Contact, or otherwise solicit, induce or encourage any Contact to curtail or cease its relationship with the Company, for any purpose which is competitive with the Business; or

 

(ii) accept (or procure or assist the acceptance of) any business from any Contact which business is competitive with the Business; or

 

(iii) be employed by or supply (or procure or assist the supply of) any goods or services to any Contact for any purpose which is competitive with the Business; or

 

(iv) employ, engage, offer employment or engagement to or solicit the employment or engagement of or otherwise entice away from or solicit, induce or encourage to leave the employment or engagement of the Company, any individual who is employed or engaged by the Company whether or not such individual would commit any breach of the Executive’s contract or terms of employment or engagement by leaving the employ or

 

 

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    the engagement of the Company, provided that the Executive shall be permitted, solely in a personal capacity, to provide letters of reference for individuals who are employed by the Company.

 

(g) Validity. The Executive expressly recognizes and acknowledges that it is the intent of the parties that the Executive’s activities following the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company be restricted in the manner described in this Article 3, and acknowledges that good, valuable, and sufficient consideration has been provided in exchange for such restrictions. The Executive agrees that should any of the restrictions contained in this Article 3 be found to be unreasonable to any extent by a court of competent jurisdiction adjudicating upon the validity of the restriction, whether as to the scope of the restriction, the area of the restriction or the duration of the restriction, then such restriction shall be reduced to that which is in fact declared reasonable by such court, or a subsequent court of competent jurisdiction, requested to make such a declaration, in order to ensure that the intention of the parties is given the greatest possible effect.

 

4. INJUNCTIVE RELIEF

 

(a) The Executive understands and agrees that the Company has a material interest in preserving the relationships it has developed with its executives, customers and suppliers against impairment by competitive activities of a former executive. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that the restrictions and covenants contained in Article 3 are reasonably required for the protection of the Company and its goodwill and that the Executive’s agreement to those restrictions and covenants by the execution of this Agreement, are of the essence to this Agreement and constitute a material inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement and to employ the Executive, and that the Company would not enter into this Agreement absent such an inducement.

 

(b) The Executive understands and acknowledges that if the Executive breaches Article 3, that breach will give rise to irreparable injury to the Company for which damages are an inadequate remedy, and the Company may pursue injunctive relief for such breach in a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

5. TERMINATION

 

The Executive’s employment by the Company may be terminated under the following circumstances:

 

(a) Death. The Executive’s employment hereunder will terminate upon the Executive’s death.

 

(b) Disability. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment if the Executive is disabled (as determined by the Board) in a manner that renders the Executive unable to perform the essential functions of the Executive’s then existing position or positions under this Agreement with or without reasonable

 

 

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    accommodation for a period of six (6) months or more. Nothing in this Section 5(b) will be construed to waive the Executive’s rights, if any, under the Company’s insurance benefits plans accruing prior to termination or under applicable law.

 

(c) Termination by Company for Cause.

 

(i) The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment For Cause at any time, without notice or payment in lieu thereof. The payment by the Company of the Executive’s Accrued Benefits shall be subject to any other rights or remedies of the Company under law and thereafter all obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall cease.

 

(ii) For the purposes of this Agreement, “For Cause” shall mean:

 

(A) the Executive is convicted of a crime involving dishonesty, breach of trust, or physical harm to any person (excluding driving while affected by drugs or alcohol) or any violation of provincial or federal securities laws;

 

(B) the Executive willfully engages in conduct that is in bad faith and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise, including but not limited to, misappropriation of trade secrets, fraud or embezzlement;

 

(C) the Executive commits a material breach of this Agreement;

 

(D) the Executive willfully refuses to implement or follow a lawful policy or directive of the Company; or

 

(E) the Executive willfully and on a continuing basis fails to perform his duties hereunder diligently and professionally.

 

(d) Termination by the Company without Cause.

 

(i) The Company, in its sole discretion, may terminate the Executive’s employment under this Agreement without Cause at any time.

 

(ii) For the purposes of this Agreement, any termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement that does not constitute a termination “For Cause” under Section 5(c) and does not result from the death or disability of the Executive under Sections 5(a) or 5(b), respectively, shall be a termination “without Cause”.

 

(e) Resignation by Executive.

 

(i) The Executive may terminate his employment by providing to the Company Notice of Termination of his employment at least 90 days prior to the effective date of resignation. During such notice period Executive shall continue to diligently perform all of Executive’s duties hereunder, provided that the Company shall have the option, in its sole discretion, to waive such notice period, in whole or in part, and if it does so, the Executive’s resignation will become effective and the Executive’s employment will

 

 

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    cease on the date set by the Company in the notice of waiver, and the Executive shall be entitled to his Accrued Benefits up to and including the Date of Termination (as defined in Section 5(g)(iii)). In the event the Company waives the Executive’s notice hereunder, the Company, in its sole discretion, in the circumstances, may pay the Base Salary portion of the Executive’s Accrued Benefits by way of one or more lump sum payments, by way of salary continuance or by a combination of both.

 

(ii) The Executive may terminate his employment for Good Reason within 12 months following a Change in Control of the Company in accordance with, and subject to, the process set out in Section 7(c).

 

(f) Notice of Termination. Except for termination as specified in Section 5(a), any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company or any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Executive must be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the other party. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Notice of Termination” means a written notice that indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement upon which the termination is based.

 

(g) Date of Termination. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Date of Termination” means:

 

(i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by his death, the date of his death;

 

(ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated on account of disability under Section 5(b) or by the Company for Cause under Section 5(c), or by the Company without Cause under Section 5(d) on the date the Notice of Termination is given;

 

(iii) if the Executive terminates his employment under Section 5(e)(i) without Good Reason, on the effective date of resignation specified by the Executive in the Notice of Termination (which shall be at least three (3) months after the date of the Notice of Termination) or, if no such date is specified or if the Company waives the notice period, the date that is 90 days after the date of the Notice of Termination; and

 

(iv) if the Executive terminates his employment under Section 5(e)(ii) for Good Reason following a Change in Control of the Company, the date on which a Notice of Termination is given after a 10 business day cure period.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive gives a Notice of Termination to the Company that takes effect at a future date, the Company may unilaterally accelerate the Date of Termination and that acceleration will not be deemed a termination by the Company for purposes of this Agreement.

 

 

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6. COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION

 

(a) Termination Generally. If the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated for any reason, the Company shall pay or provide to the Executive (or to his authorized representative or estate) on or before the time required by law, but in no event more than 30 days after the Executive’s Date of Termination:

 

(i) unpaid expense reimbursements;

 

(ii) accrued but unused vacation to the extent payment is required by law or Company policy;

 

(iii) any vested benefits the Executive may have under any employee benefit plan of the Company;

 

(iv) any earned but unpaid Base Salary; and

 

(v) any earned but unpaid annual bonus for the prior fiscal year;

 

for service up to and including the Date of Termination (collectively the “Accrued Benefits”). The Executive shall not be entitled to any other salary, compensation, bonus (or pro rata share thereof) or benefits from the Company thereafter, except as otherwise specifically provided hereunder, under the Company’s employee benefit plans or as expressly required by applicable law.

 

(b) Termination by the Company without Cause. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause, then the Company shall pay the Executive his Accrued Benefits as of the Date of Termination. In addition, subject to Article 7 and the Executive providing the Company with a general release of claims in a form and manner that includes but is not limited to the terms set forth in the attached Exhibit B (the “Release”) within the 60-day period following the Date of Termination, the Company shall pay the Executive an amount (the “Severance Amount” calculated as follows:

 

(i) if terminated during the initial 12 months of employment, an amount equal to twelve (12) months’ Base Salary, less withholding;

 

(ii) if terminated any time after the initial 12 months of employment but prior to the 36 month anniversary of the Original Agreement Date, an amount equal to eighteen (18) months’ Base Salary, less withholding; or

 

(iii) if terminated any time after the 36 month anniversary of the Original Agreement Date, an amount equal to twenty four (24) months’ Base Salary, less withholding;

 

plus:

 

(iv) additionally, in any event, a bonus payment equal to the average of the actual bonus payments, if any, made to the Executive from the previous three (3) calendar years preceding the Date of Termination, pro-rated for the then current calendar year up to and including the Date of Termination. The Company shall pay the Severance Amount within 60 days after the Date

 

 

 

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    of Termination, provided that if that 60-day period extends over two (2) calendar years, the Company shall make the payment in the second calendar year, and further provided that the Company, in its sole discretion, in the circumstances, may pay the Severance Amount by way of one or more lump sum payments, by way of salary continuance or by a combination of both. The Severance Amount is inclusive of any entitlement to minimum standard severance under the British Columbia Employment Standards Act.

 

7. CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

(a) The provisions of this Article 7 set forth the Executive’s rights and obligations upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company. These provisions are intended to assure and encourage in advance the Executive’s continued attention and dedication to his assigned duties and his objectivity during the pendency and after the occurrence of any Change in Control. Where the provisions of this Article 7 apply, they shall supersede the payment of the Severance Amount under Section 6(b). The provisions of this Article 7 are subject to the Executive providing to the Company, and not revoking, a fully effective Release.

 

(b) Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(i) Change in Control” means the consummation of any of the following:

 

(A) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to an unrelated person or entity;

 

(B) a merger, reorganization, or consolidation involving the Company in which the shares of voting stock outstanding immediately prior to the transaction represent or are converted into or exchanged for securities of the surviving or resulting entity that, immediately upon completion of the transaction, represent less than 51% of the outstanding voting power of the surviving or resulting entity;

 

(C) the acquisition of all or a majority of the outstanding voting stock of the Company in a single transaction or a series of related transactions by a person or group of persons; or

 

(D) any other acquisition of the business of the Company, as determined by the Board;

 

but any public offering by the Company, or another capital raising event, or a merger effected solely to change the Company’s domicile does not constitute a Change in Control; and

 

(ii) Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events without the Executive's prior written consent:

 

(A) a change in the Executive’s position which materially reduces the Executive’s responsibilities from the responsibilities in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control;

 

 

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(B) a reduction by the Company of the Executive’s Base Salary or Target Bonus percentage, except for an across-the-board salary reduction affecting all senior executives of the Company; or

 

(C) a relocation of Executive’s principal place of employment by more than 30 kilometres.

 

(c) Change in Control Severance. If within 12 months following a Change in Control:

 

(i) the Company terminates the Executive’s employment with the Company without Cause; or

 

(ii) the Executive resigns from his employment with the Company for Good Reason;

 

then:

 

(iii) in addition to paying the Executive his Accrued Benefits and in lieu of paying the Executive the Severance Amount, the Company shall pay to the Executive an amount (the “Change in Control Severance Amount”) as follows:

 

(A) an amount equal to twenty four (24) months’ Base Salary, less withholding;

 

plus:

 

(B) a bonus payment equal to the average of the actual bonus payments, if any, made to the Executive from the previous three (3) calendar years preceding the Date of Termination, pro-rated for the then current calendar year up to and including the Date of Termination.

 

The Company shall pay the Change in Control Severance Amount within 60 days after the Date of Termination, provided that if that 60-day period extends over two (2) calendar years, the Company shall make the payment in the second calendar year, and further provided that the Company, in its sole discretion, in the circumstances, may pay the Change in Control Severance Amount by way of one or more lump sum payments, by way of salary continuance or by a combination of both. The Change in Control Severance Amount is inclusive of any entitlement to minimum standard severance under the British Columbia Employment Standards Act; and

 

(iv) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any applicable option agreement or stock-based award agreement, all stock options and other stock-based awards held by the Executive shall immediately accelerate, vest, and become fully exercisable or non-forfeitable as of the Date of Termination hereunder.

 

8. RETURN OF MATERIALS UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

 

The Executive will return to the Company all Company documents, files, manuals, books,

 

 

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software, equipment, keys, equipment, identification or credit cards, and all other property belonging to Company upon the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason.

 

9. GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

(a) Withholding. All payments made by the Company to the Executive under this Agreement will be net of any tax or other amounts required to be withheld by the Company under applicable law. Nothing in this Agreement is to be construed to obligate the Company to design or implement any compensation arrangement in a way that minimizes tax consequences for the Executive.

 

(b) Successor to Company. The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no succession had taken place. Failure of the Company to obtain an assumption of this Agreement at or prior to the effectiveness of any succession is a material breach of this Agreement.

 

(c) Successor to the Executive. This Agreement inures to the benefit of and is enforceable by the Executive’s personal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, devisees, and legatees. If the Executive dies after his termination of employment but prior to the completion by the Company of all payments due him under this Agreement, the Company shall continue the payments to the Executive’s beneficiary designated in writing to the Company prior to his death (or to his estate, if the Executive fails to make such a designation).

 

(d) Non-Waiver. Failure on the part of either party to complain of any act or failure to act of the other of them or to declare the other party in default of this Agreement, irrespective of how long such failure continues, will not constitute a waiver by such party of their rights hereunder or of the right to then or subsequently declare a default.

 

(e) Severability. In the event that any provision or part of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable in whole or in part, the remaining provisions, or parts thereof, will be and remain in full force and effect.

 

(f) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the employment of the Executive and supersedes any and all agreements, understandings, warranties or representations of any kind, written or oral, express or implied, including any relating to the nature of the position or its duration, and each of the parties releases and forever discharges the other of and from all manner of actions, causes of action, claim or demands whatsoever under or in respect of any agreement.

 

 

- 14 -

 

(g) Survival. The provisions of this Agreement survive the termination of this Agreement and/or the termination of the Executive’s employment to the extent necessary to effectuate the intent of the Parties as expressed in this Agreement.

 

(h) Modification of Agreement. Any modification of this Agreement must be in writing and signed by both the Company and the Executive or it will have no effect and will be void.

 

(i) Disputes. Except for disputes arising in respect of Article 3, all disputes arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and the employment relationship between the parties, are to be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration administered by the British Columbia International Commercial Arbitration Centre, pursuant to its Rules. The place of arbitration will be Vancouver, British Columbia.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed according to the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada.

 

(k) Notices. Any notices, requests, demands, and other communications provided for by this Agreement are sufficient if in writing and delivered in person or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Executive at the last address the Executive has filed in writing with the Company or, in the case of the Company, at its main offices, attention to the Corporate Secretary.

 

(l) Independent Legal Advice. The Executive agrees that he has obtained or has had an opportunity to obtain independent legal advice in connection with this Agreement, and further acknowledge that he has read, understands, and agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions contained herein. The Executive further agrees that the consideration described aforesaid is accepted voluntarily for the purpose of employment with the Company under the terms and conditions described above.

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and by each party on separate counterparts, each of which counterparts, when so executed and delivered is to be taken to be an original; but those counterparts

 

 

- 15 -

 

 

    together constitute one and the same document. PDF, facsimile, scanned, and electronic signatures have the same legal effect as original ink signatures.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date and year first above written.

 

  )  
SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED )  
by ERIC A. ADAMS in the presence of: )  
  )  
  )  
Witness Signature ) ERIC A. ADAMS
  )  
Witness Name )  
  )  
Witness Address )  
  )  
  )  
  )  
Witness Occupation )  

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
     
     
Per:    
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

CONFIDENTIALITY
AND ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTIONS AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated for reference the 16th day of June, 2016 (the “Effective Date”).

 

BETWEEN:

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC., a company incorporated under the laws of British Columbia (the “Company”), with offices at Suite 350, 409 Granville St, Vancouver, B.C.V6C 1T2
Facsimile: (604) 683-2506

 

AND:

 

Eric A. Adams (the “Executive”), of 1643 Haywood Ave.,
West Vancouver, BC V7V 1W6.

 

WHEREAS:

 

A.       The Company is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that specializes in developing therapies through the research and development of novel, cannabinoid-based therapies combined with innovative drug delivery systems;

 

B.        In connection with the employment of the Executive by the Company, the parties desire to establish the terms and conditions under which the Executive will (i) receive from and disclose to the Company proprietary and confidential information; (ii) agree to keep the information confidential, to protect it from disclosure and to use it only in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and (iii) assign to the Company all rights, including any ownership interest which may arise in all inventions and intellectual property developed or disclosed by the Executive over the course of his work during his employment with the Company, as set out in this Agreement.

 

NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that in consideration of the employment of the Executive by the Company and the payment by the Company to the Executive of the sum of $10.00 and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. INTERPRETATION

 

1.1 Definitions. In this Agreement:

 

(a) Affiliate” means, in respect of the Company, a company or other entity which directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company. For the purposes of this definition, “control” means direct or indirect beneficial ownership of a greater than 50% interest in the income of such company or entity or such other relationship as, in fact, constitutes actual control.

 

 

2

 

(b) Business” or “Business of the Company” means:

 

(i) researching, developing, commercializing, producing and marketing novel, cannabinoid-based therapies combined with innovative drug delivery systems; or

 

(ii) any other area in which the Company has an active research and development program on the date the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates and in connection with which the Executive directly provided service or had direct supervisory responsibilities.

 

(c) Confidential Information” shall mean all information, knowledge, or data, whether in written, oral, electronic or other form, relating to the Business of the Company, whether or not conceived, originated, discovered or developed in whole or in part by the Executive, that is not generally known to the public or to other persons who are not bound by obligations of confidentiality and:

 

(i) from which the Company or its Affiliates derive economic value, actual or potential, from the information not being generally known; or

 

(ii) in respect of which the Company or its Affiliates otherwise have a legitimate interest in maintaining secrecy;

 

and which, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall include:

 

(iii) all proprietary information licensed to, acquired, used or developed by the Company and its Affiliates in its research and development activities (including but not restricted to the research and development of RNA interference drugs and delivery technology), other scientific strategies and concepts, designs, know-how, information, material, formulas, processes, research data and proprietary rights in the nature of copyrights, patents, trademarks, licenses and industrial designs;

 

(iv) all information relating to the Business of the Company, and to all other aspects of the structure, personnel and operations of the Company and its Affiliates, including financial, clinical, regulatory, marketing, advertising and commercial information and strategies, customer lists, compilations, agreements and contractual records and correspondence; programs, devices, concepts, inventions, designs, methods, processes, data, know-how, unique combinations of separate items that is not generally known and items provided or disclosed to the Company or its Affiliates by third parties subject to restrictions on use or disclosure;

 

(v) all know-how relating to the Business of the Company, including all biological, chemical, pharmacological, toxicological, pharmaceutical, physical and analytical, clinical, safety, manufacturing and quality control data and information, and all applications, registrations, licences, authorizations, approvals and correspondence submitted to regulatory authorities;

 

 

3

 

(vi) all information relating to the businesses of competitors of the Company or its Affiliates, including information relating to competitors’ research and development, intellectual property, operations, financial, clinical, regulatory, marketing, advertising and commercial strategies, that is not generally known;

 

(vii) all information provided to the Company or its Affiliates by their agents, consultants, lawyers, contractors, licensors or licensees and relating to the Business of the Company; and

 

(viii) all information relating to the Executive’s compensation and benefits, including his salary, vacation, stock options, perquisites, severance notice, rights on termination and all other compensation and benefits, except that he shall be entitled to disclose such information to his bankers, advisors, agents, consultants and other third parties who have a duty of confidence to him and who have a need to know such information in order to provide advice, products or services to him.

 

All Work Product shall be deemed to be the Company’s Confidential Information.

 

(d) Intellectual Property” is used in its broadest sense and means and includes any statutory, common law, equitable, contractual or proprietary rights or interests, recognized currently or in future, in and to any Inventions, including, without limitation, rights and interests in and to the following:

 

(i) knowledge, know-how and its embodiments, including trade secret information;

 

(ii) patents in inventions, and all applications therefor;

 

(iii) copyrights in artistic, literary, dramatic, musical, and neighbouring works, copyrightable works of authorship including technical descriptions for products, user guides, illustrations, advertising materials, computer programs, source code and object code, and all applications therefor;

 

(iv) trademarks, service marks, tradenames, business names and domain names and all applications therefor;

 

(v) industrial designs and all other industrial or intellectual property and all applications therefor; and

 

(vi) all goodwill connected with the foregoing.

 

(e) Inventions” shall mean any and all inventions, discoveries, developments, enhancements, improvements, concepts, formulas, designs, processes, ideas, writings and other works, whether or not reduced to practice, and whether or not protectable under patent, copyright, trade secret or similar laws.

 

 

4

 

(f) Work Product” shall mean any and all Inventions and possible Inventions relating to the Business of the Company and which the Executive may make or conceive, alone or jointly with others, during his involvement in any capacity with the Company, whether during or outside his regular working hours, except those Inventions made or conceived by the Executive entirely on his own time that do not relate to the Business of the Company and do not derive from any equipment, supplies, facilities, Confidential Information or other information, gained, directly or indirectly, from or through his involvement in any capacity with the Company.

 

2. CONFIDENTIALITY

 

2.1                          Prior Business Confidential Information. The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that the Executive has not brought or used, and the Executive covenants and agrees that the Executive will not use or bring to the Company any confidential information of any kind whatsoever of any prior party (the “Prior Business”) with whom the Executive was previously involved, whether such involvement was as an employee, director or officer of that Prior Business, an investor in that Prior Business, a partner in that Prior Business, a consultant to that Prior Business or other relationship to that Prior Business (the “Prior Involvement”). The Company and the Executive acknowledge and agree that the Company is not employing the Executive to obtain confidential information relating to any Prior Involvement and the Executive acknowledges that the Company has advised the Executive to comply with any and all legal obligations the Executive may have to such Prior Business. The Executive covenants and agrees to hold the Company harmless from any and all claims and damages of any kind whatsoever that the Company may suffer as a result of any breach by the Executive of his obligations to such Prior Business in that regard.

 

2.2                         Basic Obligation of Confidentiality. The Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that in the course of his involvement with the Company, the Company may disclose to him or he may otherwise have access or be exposed to Confidential Information. The Company hereby agrees to provide such access to the Executive and the Executive hereby agrees to receive and hold all Confidential Information on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement. Except as otherwise set out in this Agreement, the Executive will keep strictly confidential all Confidential Information and all other information belonging to the Company that he acquires, observes or is informed of, directly or indirectly, in connection with his involvement, in any capacity, with the Company both during and after the term of his employment in any capacity with the Company.

 

2.3                         Fiduciary Capacity. The Executive will be and act toward the Company and its Affiliates as a fiduciary in respect of the Confidential Information.

 

2.4                         Non-disclosure. Except with the prior written consent of the Company, the Executive will not at any time, either during or after he involvement in any capacity with the Company;

 

(a) use or copy any Confidential Information or recollections thereof for any purpose other than the performance of his duties for the benefit of the Company and its Affiliates;

 

 

5

 

(b) publish or disclose any Confidential Information or recollections thereof to any person other than to employees of the Company and its Affiliates who have a need to know such Confidential Information in the performance of their duties for the Company or its Affiliates;

 

(c) permit or cause any Confidential Information to be used, copied, published, disclosed, translated or adapted except as otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement; or

 

(d) permit or cause any Confidential Information to be stored off the premises of the Company, including permitting or causing such Confidential Information to be stored in electronic format on personal computers, except in accordance with written procedures of the Company, as amended from time to time in writing.

 

2.5                          Taking Precautions. The Executive will take all reasonable precautions necessary or prudent to prevent material in his possession or control that contains or refers to Confidential Information from being discovered, used or copied by third parties.

 

2.6                         The Company’s Ownership of Confidential Information. As between the Executive and the Company, the Company shall own all right, title and interest in and to the Confidential Information, whether or not created or developed by the Executive.

 

2.7                         Control of Confidential Information and Return of Information. All physical materials produced or prepared by the Executive containing Confidential Information, including, without limitation, records, devices, computer files, data, notes, reports, proposals, lists, correspondence, specifications, drawings, plans, materials, accounts, reports, financial statements, estimates and all other materials prepared in the course of his responsibilities to or for the benefit of the Company or its Affiliates, together with all copies thereof (in whatever medium recorded), shall belong to the Company, and the Executive will promptly turn over to the Company’s possession every original and copy of any and all such items in his possession or control upon request by the Company. If the material is such that it cannot reasonably be delivered, upon request from the Company, the Executive will provide reasonable evidence that such materials have been destroyed, purged or erased.

 

2.8                         Purpose of Use. The Executive agrees that he will use Confidential Information only for purposes authorized or directed by the Company.

 

2.9                         Exemptions. The obligations of confidentiality set out in this Article 2 will not apply to any of the following:

 

(a) information that is already known to the Executive, though not due to a prior disclosure by the Company or its Affiliates or by a person who obtained knowledge of the information, directly or indirectly, from the Company or its Affiliates;

 

(b) information disclosed to the Executive by another person who is not obliged to maintain the confidentiality of that information and who did not obtain knowledge of the information, directly or indirectly, from the Company or its Affiliates;

 

 

6

 

(c) information that is developed by the Executive independently of Confidential Information received from the Company or its Affiliates and such independent development can be documented by the Executive;

 

(d) other particular information or material which the Company expressly exempts by written instrument signed by the Company;

 

(e) information or material that is in the public domain through no fault of the Executive; and

 

(f) information required by operation of law, court order or government agency to be disclosed, provided that:

 

(i) in the event that the Executive is required to disclose such information or material, upon becoming aware of the obligation to disclose, the Executive will provide to the Company prompt written notice so that the Company may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance with the provisions of this Agreement;

 

(ii) if the Company agrees that the disclosure is required by law, it will give the Executive written authorization to disclose the information for the required purposes only;

 

(iii) if the Company does not agree that the disclosure is required by law, this Agreement will continue to apply, except to the extent that a Court of competent jurisdiction orders otherwise; and

 

(iv) if a protective order or other remedy is not obtained or if compliance with this Agreement is waived, the Executive will furnish only that portion of the Confidential Information that is legally required and will exercise all reasonable efforts to obtain confidential treatment of such Confidential Information.

 

3.                            ASSIGNMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

 

3.1                         Notice of Invention. The Executive agrees to promptly and fully inform the Company of all Work Product, whether or not patentable, throughout the course of his involvement, in any capacity, with the Company and from which there is a reasonable basis to believe that Intellectual Property may be derived therefrom, whether or not developed before or after execution of this Agreement. On his ceasing to be employed by the Company for any reason whatsoever, the Executive will immediately deliver up to the Company all Work Product.

 

3.2                          Assignment of Rights. Subject only to the exceptions set out in Attachment 1 attached to this Agreement, the Executive will assign, and does hereby assign, to the Company or, at the option of the Company and upon notice from the Company, to the Company’s designee, all of his right, title and interest in and to all Work Product, including all Intellectual Property rights therein. To the extent that the Executive retains or acquires legal title to any such Intellectual Property rights and interests, the Executive hereby declares and confirms that such legal title is and will be held by him only as trustee and agent for the Company or the Company’s designee.

 

 

 

7

 

The Executive agrees that the Company’s rights hereunder shall attach to all Intellectual Property rights in his Work Product, notwithstanding that it may be perfected or reduced to specific form after he has terminated his relationship with the Company. The Executive further agrees that the Company’s rights hereunder are worldwide rights and are not limited to Canada, but shall extend to every country of the world.

 

3.3                         Moral Rights. Without limiting the foregoing, the Executive hereby irrevocably waives any and all moral rights arising under the Copyright Act (Canada), as amended, or any successor legislation of similar force and effect or similar legislation in other applicable jurisdictions or at common law that he may have with respect to all Work Product, and agrees never to assert any moral rights which he may have in the Work Product, including, without limitation, the right to the integrity of the Work Product, the right to be associated with the Work Product, the right to restrain or claim damages for any distortion, mutilation or other modification or enhancement of the Work Product and the right to restrain the use or reproduction of the Work Product in any context and in connection with any product, service, cause or institution, and the Executive further confirms that the Company may use or alter any Work Product as the Company sees fits in its absolute discretion.

 

3.4                          Goodwill. The Executive hereby agrees that all goodwill he has established or may establish with clients, customers, suppliers, principals, shareholders, investors, collaborators, strategic partners, licensees, contacts or prospects of the Company relating to the Business of the Company (or of its partners, subsidiaries or affiliates), both before and after the Effective Date, shall, as between the Executive and the Company, be and remain the property of the Company exclusively, for the Company to use, alter, vary, adapt and exploit as the Company shall determine in its discretion.

 

3.5                          Assistance. The Executive hereby agrees to reasonably assist the Company, at the Company’s request and expense, in:

 

(a) making patent applications for all Work Product, including instructions to lawyers and/or patent agents as to the characteristics of the Work Product in sufficient detail to enable the preparation of a suitable patent specification, to execute all formal documentation incidental to an application for letters patent and to execute assignment documents in favour of the Company for such applications;

 

(b) making applications for all other forms of Intellectual Property registration relating to all Work Product;

 

(c) prosecuting and maintaining the patent applications and other Intellectual Property relating to all Work Product; and

 

(d) registering, maintaining and enforcing the patents and other Intellectual Property registrations relating to all Work Product.

 

If the Company is unable for any reason to secure the Executive’s signature with respect to any Work Product including, without limitation, to apply for or to pursue any application for any patents or copyright registrations covering such Work Product, then the Executive hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as his agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and in his behalf and stead to execute and file any papers,

 

 

8

 

oaths and to do all other lawfully permitted acts with respect to such Work Product with the same legal force and effect as if executed by him.

 

3.6                          Assistance with Proceedings. The Executive further agrees to reasonably assist the Company, at the Company’s request and expense, in connection with any defence to an allegation of infringement of another person’s intellectual property rights, claim of invalidity of another person’s intellectual property rights, opposition to, or intervention regarding, an application for letters patent, copyright or trademark or other proceedings relating to Intellectual Property or applications for registration thereof.

 

3.7                         Commercialization. The Executive understands that the decision whether or not to commercialize or market any Work Product is within the Company’s sole discretion and for the Company’s sole benefit and that no royalty or other consideration will be due or payable to him as a result of the Company’s efforts to commercialize or market any such Work Product.

 

3.8                        Prior Business Intellectual Property. The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that he has not brought or used, and the Executive covenants and agrees that he will not use or bring to the Company any Intellectual Property of any kind whatsoever of any Prior Business with whom the Executive had a Prior Involvement or any Intellectual Property directly owned by the Executive. The Company and the Executive acknowledge and agree that the Company is not employing the Executive to obtain Intellectual Property relating to any Prior Involvement and the Executive acknowledges that the Company has advised the Executive to comply with any legal obligations the Executive may have to such Prior Business. The Executive covenants and agrees to hold the Company harmless from any and all claims and damages of any kind whatsoever that the Company may suffer as a result any breach by the Executive of his obligations to such Prior Business in that regard.

 

3.9                          Prior Inventions. In order to have them excluded from this Agreement, the Executive has set forth on Attachment 1 attached to this Agreement a complete list of all Inventions for which a patent application has not yet been filed that he has, alone or jointly with others, conceived, developed or reduced to practice prior to the execution of this Agreement to which he has any right, title or interest, and which relate to the Business of the Company. If such list is blank or no such list is attached, the Executive represents and warrants that there are no such prior Inventions.

 

4. General

 

4.1                          Term. Subject to Section 4.10, the term of this Agreement is from the Effective Date and terminates on the date that the Executive is no longer working at or for the Company in any capacity.

 

4.2                          No Conflicting Obligations. The Executive hereby represents and warrants that he has no agreements with or obligations to any other person with respect to the matters covered by this Agreement or concerning the Confidential Information that are in conflict with anything in this Agreement, except as disclosed in Attachment 1 attached to this Agreement.

 

4.3                          Publicity. The Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, make or give any public announcements, press releases or statements to the public or the press regarding any Work Product or any Confidential Information.

 

 

9

 

4.4                            Further Assurances. The parties will execute and deliver to each other such further instruments and assurances and do such further acts as may be required to give effect to this Agreement.

 

4.5                            Notices. All notices and other communications that are required or permitted by this Agreement must be in writing and shall be hand delivered or sent by express delivery service or certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, or by facsimile transmission (with receipt confirmed in writing) to the parties at the addresses on page 1 of this Agreement. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been received on the earlier of the date actually received or the date five (5) days after the same was posted or sent. Either party may change its address or its facsimile number by giving the other party written notice, delivered in accordance with this section.

 

4.6                            Equitable Remedies. The Executive understands and acknowledges that if he breaches any of his obligations under this Agreement, that breach may give rise to irreparable injury to the Company for which damages are an inadequate remedy. In the event of any such breach by the Executive, in addition to all other remedies available to the Company at law or in equity, the Company will be entitled as a matter of right to apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for such relief by way of restraining order, injunction, decree or otherwise, as may be appropriate to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

4.7                            Non-Waiver. Failure on the part of either party to complain of any act or failure to act of the other of them or to declare the other party in default of this Agreement, irrespective of how long such failure continues, will not constitute a waiver by such party of their rights hereunder or of the right to then or subsequently declare a default.

 

4.8                            Severability. In the event that any provision or part of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable in whole or in part, the remaining provisions, or parts thereof, will be and remain in full force and effect.

 

4.9                           Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all agreements, understandings, warranties or representations of any kind, written or oral, express or implied, including any relating to the nature of the position or its duration, and each of the parties releases and forever discharges the other of and from all manner of actions, causes of action, claim or demands whatsoever under or in respect of any agreement.

 

4.10                          Survival. Notwithstanding the expiration or early termination of this Agreement, the provisions of Article 1, Article 2 (including the obligations of confidentiality and to return Confidential Information, which shall endure, with respect to each item of Confidential Information, for so long as those items fall within the definition of Confidential Information), Sections 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 and 3.8 and Article 4 shall survive any expiration or early termination of this Agreement.

 

4.11                        Modification of Agreement. Any modification of this Agreement must be in writing and signed by both the Company and the Executive or it will have no effect and will be void.

 

4.12                          Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed according to the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada.

 

 

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4.13                          Independent Legal Advice. The Executive agrees that he has obtained or has had an opportunity to obtain independent legal advice in connection with this Agreement, and further acknowledge that he has read, understands, and agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions contained herein.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date and year first above written.

 

  )  
SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED )  
by Eric A. Adams in the presence of: )  
  )  
  )  
Witness Signature ) Eric A. Adams
  )  
Witness Name )  
  )  
Witness Address )  
  )  
  )  
  )  
Witness Occupation )  

  

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
     
     
Per:    
  William Garner  
  Chairman  

 

 

11

 

Attachment 1
to Confidentiality and Assignment of Inventions Agreement

 

EXCLUSIONS FROM WORK PRODUCT

 

NIL

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

GENERAL RELEASE LANGUAGE

 

The Executive agrees, for and in consideration of the terms set out in the letter to which this release is attached, and other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which I hereby acknowledge) agrees, for himself, his spouse, heirs, executor or administrator, assigns, insurers, attorneys, and other persons or entities acting or purporting to act on his behalf (the “Executive’s Parties”), to irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit, and forever discharge the Company, its affiliates, subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, agents, representatives, predecessors, successors, assigns, insurers, attorneys, benefit plans sponsored by the Company, and said plans’ fiduciaries, agents and trustees (the “Company’s Parties”), from any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims, obligations, liabilities, debts, demands, contentions, damages, judgments, levies, and executions of any kind, whether in law or in equity, known or unknown, which the Executive’s Parties have, have had, or may in the future claim to have against the Company’s Parties by reason of, arising out of, related to, or resulting from the Executive’s employment with the Company or the termination of that employment. This release specifically includes without limitation any claims arising in tort or contract, any claim based on wrongful discharge, any claim based on breach of contract, any claim arising under federal, state or local law prohibiting race, sex, age, religion, national origin, handicap, disability, or other forms of discrimination, any claim arising under federal, state, or local law concerning employment practices, and any claim relating to compensation or benefits. It is understood and agreed that the waiver of benefits and claims contained in this section does not include a waiver of the right to payment of any vested, non-forfeitable benefits to which the Executive or a beneficiary of the Executive may be entitled under the terms and provisions of any employee benefit plan of the company which have accrued as of the Date of Termination, and does not include a waiver of the right to benefits and payment of consideration to which the Executive may be entitled under this Agreement or any of the agreements contemplated by this Agreement (including the indemnification agreement and the stock option agreement). The Executive acknowledges that he is entitled to only the severance benefits and compensation set forth in this Agreement, and that all other claims for any other benefits or compensation are hereby waived, except those expressly stated in the preceding sentence.

 

The Executive hereby acknowledges his understanding that under this Agreement he is releasing any known or unknown claims he may have.

 

The Executive expressly waives and relinquishes all rights and benefits under that section and any law of any jurisdiction of similar effect with respect to his release of claims.

 

The Executive expressly acknowledged that he has had the opportunity to obtain independent legal advice with respect to the contents, terms and effect of the agreement between myself and the Company including this release and that he fully understands its content. The consideration described aforesaid is accepted voluntarily for the purpose of making a full, final and irrevocable settlement of all claims described above and The Executive signs this release on his own free will.

 

 

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EXHIBIT C

 

EXISTING CONFLICTS

 

NIL

 

 

Exhibit 10.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT made this 8th day of March, 2018 (the “Effective Date”)

 

BETWEEN:

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC., a company incorporated under the laws of British Columbia (the “Company”), with offices at Suite 340, 200 Granville St, Vancouver, B.C.,V6C 1S4

 

 

AND:

 

Eric Hsu (the “Executive”), of 5780 Fremlin St., Vancouver, BC V5Z 3W7

 

 

 

 

 

WHEREAS:

 

A.       The Company is a preclinical stage biopharmaceutical company that specializes in developing therapies through the research and development of novel, cannabinoid-based therapies combined with innovative drug delivery systems;

 

B.         The Executive has the expertise, qualifications and required certifications to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; and

 

C.       The Company wishes to employ the Executive to perform the services, on the terms and conditions herein set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged.

 

NOW THISEFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. EMPLOYMENT

 

(a) The Executive will be employed by and will serve the Company as its Vice President (“VP”) of Preclinical Research and Development and will have powers and duties consistent with such position as may from time to time be prescribed by the CEO and Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), as outlined in Exhibit A. The Executive will report directly to the CEO and will comply with all lawful instructions given by the CEO.

 

 

 
   - 2 -  

 

(b) The terms and conditions of this Agreement will have effect as and from the Effective Date and the Executive’s employment as VP will continue until terminated as provided for in this Agreement.

 

(c) The Executive acknowledges and agrees that in addition to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Executive’s employment with the Company is subject to and governed by the Company’s policies as established from time to time. The Executive agrees to comply with the terms of such policies so long as they are not inconsistent with any provisions of the Agreement. The Executive will inform himself of the details of such policies and amendments thereto established from time to time.

 

(d) The Executive will devote himself on an exclusive, part-time basis to the Company’s business. It is the intent of the parties that “part-time basis” should equate to 50% of the estimated work load of a comparable full-time executive in a VP role. To the extent the Executive’s time commitment is lower or higher than this expected estimate for a period of more than 2 consecutive months then the parties will review the Base Salary and adjust it down or up to a mutually agreeable amount if this is expected to continue. The Executive may manage his personal investments or engage in charitable or other community activities as long as those services and activities do not interfere with the Executive’s performance of his duties to the Company. Active employment is scheduled to begin 8 March 2018.

 

(e) Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and in consideration of the Executive’s employment by the Company, the Executive and the Company will enter into a “Confidentiality and Assignment of Inventions Agreement” in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

 

2. REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

 

(a) Base Salary.
(i) In consideration of part-time status, the Company will pay the Executive an annual salary, per annum, as per the Milestone table below, less required deductions (the “Base Salary”), provided that the Executive’s Base Salary shall increase less required deductions, upon the satisfaction of both the following milestones schedule:
Milestones 1 2
 

Execution of Employment

Agreement (50%, part-time)

Migration to Full-time Employee
Base Salary: $140,000 $240,000

 

 

 
   - 3 -  

 

(ii) The Base Salary will be payable semi-monthly, in arrears. The Executive’s Base Salary will be reviewed annually by the Board and the compensation committee of the Company in accordance with the Company’s annual performance and compensation review process, including consideration of the Company’s market capitalization and financial stability, and is subject to increase but not decrease, except for an across-the-board salary reduction affecting all or substantially all senior executives of the Company, nor will it necessarily result in an increase to the Base Salary. The base salary in effect at any given time is referred to as “Base Salary” and this Agreement need not be modified to reflect a change in Base Salary. The Base Salary is subject to withholding and payable in a manner that is consistent with the Company’s usual payroll practices for senior executives.

 

(b) Bonus. The Executive is eligible to be considered for an annual discretionary bonus which will be subject to the approval of the Board and the compensation committee of the Company, in their sole discretion, on an annual basis in accordance with the Company’s annual performance and compensation review process, including consideration of the Company’s market capitalization and financial stability. Payment of a bonus in any one year will not indicate the payment of a bonus in any other year. Target bonus is equal to 30% of base salary.

 

(c) Stock Options. The Executive’s allotment of stock options in the capital of the Company shall be 450,000 stock options (the “Options”) pursuant to the Company’s Incentive Stock Option Plan (the “Stock Option Plan”). The Options shall be priced at Market price in accordance with and subject to the Option policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange and the Company’s Insider Trading Guidelines and the blackout provisions therein. The Options issued in conjunction with this new Agreement will vest as follows:

 

 

 

 

Type of Option

 

Total
Number of
Options

 

Vesting
Number

 

 

Vesting Date

 

Newly issued options with this Agreement

 

450,000

 

50,000

 

60 days after the Effective Date

 

100,000

 

6 months after Effective Date

 

100,000

 

12 months after Effective Date

 
   - 4 -  

 

 

   

 

100,000

 

18 months after Effective Date

 

100,000

 

24 months after Effective Date

 

 

 

(d) The Options will cease to vest on the Date of Termination of this Agreement (as defined in Section 5(g)). The terms and conditions relating to the Options will be subject to the Option Agreement that is entered into concurrently with this Agreement, as well as the Stock Option Plan. If there is any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Stock Option Plan, the terms of the Stock Option Plan will govern. If there is any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Option Agreement, the terms of this Agreement will govern to the extent of the conflict.

 

(e) Expenses. The Company will reimburse the Executive for all reasonable expenses actually and properly incurred by the Executive in performing services under this Agreement, in accordance with the policies and procedures then in effect and established by the Company for its senior executives. The Executive will provide the Company with receipts supporting the Executive’s claims for reimbursement.

 

(f) Other Benefits. The Company will facilitate the Executive’s enrolment in the Company’s insurance benefits plans, if any, as may be amended from time to time by the Company or the Company’s insurance carrier; or, at the Executive’s election and with Company approval, the Company will reimburse the Executive expenses associated with a private insurance plan under which the Executive and his family are currently covered. In all cases, eligibility to participate in the plans and to receive benefits under the plans will be subject to the terms and requirements of the applicable insurance carrier in accordance with the formal benefits plan documents and policies. Any issues with respect to entitlement to or payment of benefits under the benefits package will be governed by the terms of such documents and policies. The Company will not be responsible for the payment of benefits in any circumstance. Further, the Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend, change or terminate any of the insurance benefit plans or providers.

 

(g) Vacation. The Executive is entitled to paid holidays and vacation days each year, in an amount determined in accordance with and subject to the Company’s applicable policies in effect, and as may be amended from time to time. The Executive will be entitled to 30 days of vacation per calendar year, which will be pro-rated for any year in which the Executive is only employed with the Company for a portion of the year or for any period in which the Executive is not a full-time employee. Vacation days will be scheduled at times that are mutually acceptable to the Executive and the Company. Carry-over of vacation days will be according to Company policy, and any accrued but unused vacation days will be paid out upon termination.

 

 
   - 5 -  

 

3. NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION

 

(a) The biotechnology industry is highly competitive and employees leaving the employ of the Company have the ability to cause significant damage to the Company’s interests if they join a competing business immediately upon leaving the Company.

 

(b) Definitions:
(i) Business” or “Business of the Company” means:

 

(A) researching, developing, commercializing, producing and marketing novel, cannabinoid-based therapies combined with innovative drug delivery systems; or
(ii) Competing Business” means any endeavor, activity or business which is competitive in any material way with the Business of the Company worldwide.
(iii) Contact” means any person, firm, corporation or other entity that was a client, customer, supplier, principal, shareholder, investor, collaborator, strategic partner, licensee, contact or prospect of the Company (or of its partners or funders) with whom the Executive dealt or otherwise became aware of during the term of the Executive’s employment in any capacity with the Company.
(iv) Restricted Period” means a period of 12 months.

 

(c) Reasonableness. The Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that:
(i) both before and since the commencement of the Executive’s employment by the Company, the Company has operated and competed and will operate and compete worldwide, with respect to the Business of the Company;
(ii) competitors of the Company and the Business are located worldwide;
(iii) in order to protect the Company adequately, any enjoinder of competition would have to apply to any country in which the Company, during the term of the Executive’s employment, had material business relationships;

 

 
   - 6 -  

 

(iv) during the course of the Executive’s employment with the Company, on behalf of the Company, the Executive will acquire knowledge of, and will come into contact with, initiate and establish relationships with, both existing and new clients, customers, suppliers, principals, contacts and prospects of the Company, and that in some circumstances the Executive may become the senior or sole representative of the Company dealing with such persons; and
(v) in light of the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 3 are reasonable and necessary for the proper protection of the Business of the Company.

 

(d) Restrictive Covenant. Except as set forth on Exhibit D attached hereto, during the term of the Executive’s employment and for the Restricted Period after the termination thereof, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Board, such consent to be granted or withheld in the Board’s sole discretion, within the geographic scope of any country in which the Company, during the term of the Executive’s employment, had material business relationships, carry on or be employed by or engaged in or have any financial or other interest in or be otherwise commercially involved in a Competing Business, directly or indirectly, either individually or in partnership or jointly or in conjunction with any person, firm, corporation or other entity, as principal, agent, consultant, advisor, employee, shareholder or in any manner whatsoever.

 

(e) Exception. The Executive shall not be in default of Section 3(d) by virtue of the Executive:
(i) following the termination of employment, holding, strictly for portfolio purposes and as a passive investor, no more than five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding shares of, or any other interest in, any corporation or other entity which is listed on any recognized stock exchange, that is a Competing Business; or
(ii) during the term of the Executive’s employment, holding, strictly for portfolio purposes and as a passive investor, issued and outstanding shares of, or any other interest in, any corporation or other entity, the business of which corporation or other entity is in the same Business as the Company provided such corporation is not a Competing Business, and provided further that the Executive first obtains the Company’s written consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

If the Executive holds issued and outstanding shares or any other interest in a corporation or other entity pursuant to Section 3(e)(ii) above, and following the acquisition of such shares or other interest the business of the corporation or other entity becomes a Competing Business, the Executive will promptly dispose of the Executive’s shares or other interest in such corporation or other entity.

 

 
   - 7 -  

 

(f) Non-Solicitation. The Executive shall not, during the term of the Executive’s employment and for the Restricted Period after the termination thereof for any reason, whether legal or illegal, either individually or in partnership or jointly or in conjunction with any person, firm, corporation or other entity, as principal, agent, consultant, advisor, employee, shareholder or in any manner whatsoever, without the prior written and informed consent of the Company, directly or indirectly:
(i) canvass or solicit the business of (or procure or assist the canvassing or soliciting of the business of) any Contact, or otherwise solicit, induce or encourage any Contact to curtail or cease its relationship with the Company, for any purpose which is competitive with the Business; or
(ii) accept (or procure or assist the acceptance of) any business from any Contact which business is competitive with the Business; or
(iii) be employed by or supply (or procure or assist the supply of) any goods or services to any Contact for any purpose which is competitive with the Business; or
(iv) employ, engage, offer employment or engagement to or solicit the employment or engagement of or otherwise entice away from or solicit, induce or encourage to leave the employment or engagement of the Company, any individual who is employed or engaged by the Company whether or not such individual would commit any breach of the Executive’s contract or terms of employment or engagement by leaving the employ or the engagement of the Company, provided that the Executive shall be permitted, solely in a personal capacity, to provide letters of reference for individuals who are employed by the Company.

 

(g) Validity. The Executive expressly recognizes and acknowledges that it is the intent of the parties that the Executive’s activities following the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company be restricted in the manner described in this Section 3, and acknowledges that good, valuable, and sufficient consideration has been provided in exchange for such restrictions. The Executive agrees that should any of the restrictions contained in this Section 3 be found to be unreasonable to any extent by a court of competent jurisdiction adjudicating upon the validity of the restriction, whether as to the scope of the restriction, the area of the restriction or the duration of the restriction, then such restriction shall be reduced to that which is in fact declared reasonable by such court, or a subsequent court of competent jurisdiction, requested to make such a declaration, in order to ensure that the intention of the parties is given the greatest possible effect.
 
   - 8 -  

 

4. INJUNCTIVE RELIEF

 

(a) The Executive understands and agrees that the Company has a material interest in preserving the relationships it has developed with its executives, customers and suppliers against impairment by competitive activities of a former executive. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that the restrictions and covenants contained in Section 3 are reasonably required for the protection of the Company and its goodwill and that the Executive’s agreement to those restrictions and covenants by the execution of this Agreement, are of the essence to this Agreement and constitute a material inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement and to employ the Executive, and that the Company would not enter into this Agreement absent such an inducement.

 

(b) The Executive understands and acknowledges that if the Executive breaches Section 3, that breach will give rise to irreparable injury to the Company for which damages are an inadequate remedy, and the Company may pursue injunctive relief for such breach in a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

5. TERMINATION

 

The Executive’s employment by the Company may be terminated under the following circumstances:

 

(a) Death. The Executive’s employment hereunder will terminate upon the Executive’s death.

 

(b) Disability. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment if the Executive is disabled (as determined by the Chief Executive Officer) in a manner that renders the Executive unable to perform the essential functions of the Executive’s then existing position or positions under this Agreement with or without reasonable accommodation for a period of six

(6) months or more. Nothing in this Section 5(b) will be construed to waive the Executive’s rights, if any, under the Company’s insurance benefits plans accruing prior to termination or under applicable law.

 

(c) Termination by Company for Cause.
(i) The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment For Cause at any time, without notice or payment in lieu thereof. The payment by the Company of the Executive’s Accrued Benefits shall be subject to any other rights or remedies of the Company under law and thereafter all obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall cease.
(ii) For the purposes of this Agreement, “For Cause” shall mean:

 

 

 
   - 9 -  

 

(A) the Executive is convicted of a crime involving dishonesty, breach of trust, or physical harm to any person (excluding driving while affected by drugs or alcohol) or any violation of provincial or federal securities laws;

 

(B) the Executive willfully engages in conduct that is in bad faith and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise, including but not limited to, misappropriation of trade secrets, fraud or embezzlement;

 

(C) the Executive commits a material breach of this Agreement;

 

(D) the Executive willfully refuses to implement or follow a lawful policy or directive of the Company; or

 

(E) the Executive willfully and on a continuing basis fails to perform his duties hereunder diligently and professionally.

 

(d) Termination by the Company without Cause.
(i) The Company, in its sole discretion, may terminate the Executive’s employment under this Agreement without Cause at any time.
(ii) For the purposes of this Agreement, any termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement that does not constitute a termination “For Cause” under Section 5(c) and does not result from the death or disability of the Executive under Sections 5(a) or 5(b), respectively, shall be a termination “without Cause”.

 

(e) Resignation by Executive.
(i) The Executive may terminate his employment by providing to the Company Notice of Termination of his employment at least 90 days prior to the effective date of resignation. During such notice period Executive shall continue to diligently perform all of Executive’s duties hereunder, provided that the Company shall have the option, in its sole discretion, to waive such notice period, in whole or in part, and if it does so, the Executive’s resignation will become effective and the Executive’s employment will cease on the date set by the Company in the notice of waiver, and the Executive shall be entitled to his Accrued Benefits up to and including the Date of Termination (as defined in Section 5(g)(iii)). In the event the Company waives the Executive’s notice hereunder, the Company, in its sole discretion, in the circumstances, may pay the Base Salary portion of the Executive’s Accrued Benefits by way of one or more lump sum payments, by way of salary continuance or by a combination of both.
 
   - 10 -  

 

(ii) The Executive may terminate his employment for Good Reason within 12 months following a Change in Control of the Company in accordance with, and subject to, the process set out in Section 7(c).

 

(f) Notice of Termination. Except for termination as specified in Section 5(a), any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company or any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Executive must be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the other party. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Notice of Termination” means a written notice that indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement upon which the termination is based.

 

(g) Date of Termination. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Date of Termination” means:
(i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by his death, the date of his death;
(ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated on account of disability under Section 5(b) or by the Company for Cause under Section 5(c), or by the Company without Cause under Section 5(d) on the date the Notice of Termination is given;
(iii) if the Executive terminates his employment under Section 5(e)(i) without Good Reason, on the effective date of resignation specified by the Executive in the Notice of Termination (which shall be at least three (3) months after the date of the Notice of Termination) or, if no such date is specified or if the Company waives the notice period, the date that is 90 days after the date of the Notice of Termination; and
(iv) if the Executive terminates his employment under Section 5(e)(ii) for Good Reason following a Change in Control of the Company, the date on which a Notice of Termination.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive gives a Notice of Termination to the Company that takes effect at a future date, the Company may unilaterally accelerate the Date of Termination and that acceleration will not be deemed a termination by the Company for purposes of this Agreement.

 

6. COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION

 

(a) Termination Generally. If the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated for any reason, the Company shall pay or provide to the Executive (or to his authorized representative or estate) on or before the time required by law, but in no event more than 30 days after the Executive’s Date of Termination:
 
   - 11 -  
(i) unpaid expense reimbursements;
(ii) accrued but unused vacation to the extent payment is required by law or Company policy;
(iii) any vested benefits the Executive may have under any employee benefit plan of the Company;
(iv) any earned but unpaid Base Salary; and
(v) any earned but unpaid annual bonus for the prior fiscal year;

 

for service up to and including the Date of Termination (collectively the “Accrued Benefits”). The Executive shall not be entitled to any other salary, compensation, bonus (or pro rata share thereof) or benefits from the Company thereafter, except as otherwise specifically provided hereunder, under the Company’s employee benefit plans or as expressly required by applicable law.

 

(b) Termination by the Company without Cause. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause, then the Company shall pay the Executive his Accrued Benefits as of the Date of Termination. In addition, subject to Section 7 and the Executive providing the Company with a general release of claims in a form and manner that includes but is not limited to the terms set forth in the attached Exhibit C (the “Release”) within the 60-day period following the Date of Termination, the Company shall pay the Executive an amount (the “Severance Amount”) calculated as follows:
(i) If terminated during the initial 12 months from the Effective Date, an amount equal to two (2) months’ Base Salary, less withholding;
(ii) If terminated any time after the initial 12 months from the Effective Date but prior to the 36 month anniversary of the Effective Date, an amount equal to four (4) months’ Base Salary, less withholding;
(iii) If terminated any time after the 36 month anniversary of the Effective Date, an amount equal to eight (8) months’ Base Salary, less withholding;
(iv) Additionally, in any event, a bonus payment equal to the average of the actual bonus payments, if any, made to the Executive from the previous three (3) calendar years preceding the Date of Termination, pro-rated for the then current calendar year up to and including the Date of Termination.

 

 
   - 12 -  

 

The Company shall pay the Severance Amount within 60 days after the Date of Termination, provided that if that 60-day period extends over two calendar years, the Company shall make the payment in the second calendar year, and further provided that the Company, in its sole discretion, in the circumstances, may pay the Severance Amount by way of one or more lump sum payments, by way of salary continuance or by a combination of both. The Severance Amount is inclusive of any entitlement to minimum standard severance under the British Columbia Employment Standards Act.

 

7. CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

(a) The provisions of this Section 7 set forth the Executive’s rights and obligations upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company. These provisions are intended to assure and encourage in advance the Executive’s continued attention and dedication to his assigned duties and his objectivity during the pendency and after the occurrence of any Change in Control. Where the provisions of this Section 7 apply, they shall supersede the payment of the Severance Amount under Section 6(b). The provisions of this Section 7 are subject to the Executive providing to the Company, and not revoking, a fully effective Release.

 

(b) Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(i) Change in Control” means the consummation of any of the following:

 

(A) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to an unrelated person or entity;

 

(B) a merger, reorganization, or consolidation involving the Company in which the shares of voting stock outstanding immediately prior to the transaction represent or are converted into or exchanged for securities of the surviving or resulting entity that, immediately upon completion of the transaction, represent less than 51% of the outstanding voting power of the surviving or resulting entity;

 

(C) the acquisition of all or a majority of the outstanding voting stock of the Company in a single transaction or a series of related transactions by a person or group of persons; or

 

(D) any other acquisition of the business of the Company, as determined by the Board;

 

but any public offering by the Company, or another capital raising event, or a merger effected solely to change the Company’s domicile does not constitute a Change in Control; and

 

 
   - 13 -  

 

(ii) Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events without the Executive's prior written consent:

 

(A) a change in the Executive’s position which materially reduces the Executive’s responsibilities from the responsibilities in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control;

 

(B) a reduction by the Company of the Executive’s Base Salary or Target Bonus percentage, except for an across-the-board salary reduction affecting all senior executives of the Company; or

 

(C) a relocation of Executive’s principal place of employment by more than 30 kilometres.

 

(c) Change in Control Severance. If within 12 months following a Change in Control:
(i) the Company terminates the Executive’s employment with the Company without Cause; or
(ii) the Executive resigns from his employment with the Company for Good Reason;

 

then,

 

 

(iii) in addition to paying the Executive his Accrued Benefits and in lieu of paying the Executive the Severance Amount, the Company shall pay to the Executive an amount (the “Change in Control Severance Amount”) as follows:

 

(A) an amount equal to twelve (12) months’ Base Salary, less withholding; plus

 

(B) a bonus payment equal to the average of the actual bonus payments, if any, made to the Executive from the previous three (3) calendar years preceding the Date of Termination, pro-rated for the then current calendar year up to and including the Date of Termination.

 

The Company shall pay the Change in Control Severance Amount within 60 days after the Date of Termination, provided that if that 60-day period extends over two calendar years, the Company shall make the payment in the second calendar year, and further provided that the Company, in its sole discretion, in the circumstances, may pay the Change in Control Severance Amount by way of one or more lump sum payments, by way of salary continuance or by a combination of both. The Change in Control Severance Amount is inclusive of any entitlement to minimum standard severance under the British Columbia Employment Standards Act; and

 

 
   - 14 -  

 

(iv) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any applicable option agreement or stock-based award agreement, all stock options and other stock-based awards held by the Executive shall immediately accelerate, vest, and become fully exercisable or non-forfeitable as of the Date of Termination hereunder.

 

8. RETURN OF MATERIALS UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

 

The Executive will return to the Company all Company documents, files, manuals, books, software, equipment, keys, equipment, identification or credit cards, and all other property belonging to Company upon the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason.

 

9. GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

(a) Withholding. All payments made by the Company to the Executive under this Agreement will be net of any tax or other amounts required to be withheld by the Company under applicable law. Nothing in this Agreement is to be construed to obligate the Company to design or implement any compensation arrangement in a way that minimizes tax consequences for the Executive.

 

(b) Successor to Company. The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no succession had taken place. Failure of the Company to obtain an assumption of this Agreement at or prior to the effectiveness of any succession is a material breach of this Agreement.

 

(c) Successor to the Executive. This Agreement inures to the benefit of and is enforceable by the Executive’s personal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, devisees, and legatees. If the Executive dies after his termination of employment but prior to the completion by the Company of all payments due him under this Agreement, the Company shall continue the payments to the Executive’s beneficiary designated in writing to the Company prior to his death (or to his estate, if the Executive fails to make such a designation).

 

(d) Non-Waiver. Failure on the part of either party to complain of any act or failure to act of the other of them or to declare the other party in default of this Agreement, irrespective of how long such failure continues, will not constitute a waiver by such party of their rights hereunder or of the right to then or subsequently declare a default.
 
   - 15 -  

 

(e) Severability. In the event that any provision or part of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable in whole or in part, the remaining provisions, or parts thereof, will be and remain in full force and effect.

 

(f) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the employment of the Executive and supersedes any and all agreements, understandings, warranties or representations of any kind, written or oral, express or implied, including any relating to the nature of the position or its duration, and each of the parties releases and forever discharges the other of and from all manner of actions, causes of action, claim or demands whatsoever under or in respect of any agreement.

 

(g) Survival. The provisions of this Agreement survive the termination of this Agreement and/or the termination of the Executive’s employment to the extent necessary to effectuate the intent of the Parties as expressed in this Agreement.

 

(h) Modification of Agreement. Any modification of this Agreement must be in writing and signed by both the Company and the Executive or it will have no effect and will be void.

 

(i) Disputes. Except for disputes arising in respect of Section 3, all disputes arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and the employment relationship between the parties, are to be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration administered by the British Columbia International Commercial Arbitration Centre, pursuant to its Rules. The place of arbitration will be Vancouver, British Columbia.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed according to the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada.

 

(k) Notices. Any notices, requests, demands, and other communications provided for by this Agreement are sufficient if in writing and delivered in person or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Executive at the last address the Executive has filed in writing with the Company or, in the case of the Company, at its main offices, attention to the Corporate Secretary.

 

(l) Independent Legal Advice. The Executive agrees that he has obtained or has had an opportunity to obtain independent legal advice in connection with this Agreement, and further acknowledge that he has read, understands, and agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions contained herein. The Executive further agrees that the consideration described aforesaid is accepted voluntarily for the purpose of employment with the Company under the terms and conditions described above.
 
   - 16 -  

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and by each party on separate counterparts, each of which counterparts, when so executed and delivered is to be taken to be an original; but those counterparts together constitute one and the same document. PDF, facsimile, scanned, and electronic signatures have the same legal effect as original ink signatures.

 

REMAINER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   - 17 -  

 

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date and year first above written. 

 

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

 

 

Per:   /s/ Eric A. Adams
  Eric A. Adams
  President and CEO

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

 

 

Vice President, Preclinical Research and Development

Roles and Responsibilities

 

Summary

 

Develops operating plan and strategic objectives that support the company's preclinical research and development strategies. Provides leadership to direct others in solving complex problems. Reviews and approves all major projects. Exercises authority to implement and initiate projects. Participates with senior management in developing and establishing organizational and company policies. Key participant in business development, fundraising and internal/external relations.

 

Reporting Responsibilities

 

As member of the Executive Management Team, reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer or other positions as defined from time-to-time.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

 

Together with CSO, establish and maintain scientific culture of company.
Provide scientific, organizational and management expertise in the hand-on implementation of the research plan
Set and monitor sound scientific principles
Participates on scientific advisory board meetings
Oversees operations with significant ‘hands-on’ input in following functional areas:
Biosynthesis - Research, Development, Scale-up, Commercialization
Pre-clinical biology, in vitro and in vivo study designs
External collaborations in the above areas
Identification and evaluation of new technologies that are relevant to the Company
Member of Executive Management Team
With other members, set company business strategy, methods of operation, policies and coordinate operations with other functional areas
Support CEO in Board of Directors meetings
Participate in business development and fundraising presentations and investor relations activities
Maintain personal and company presence and stature in scientific community

 

 

 
    2  

 

Supervisory Responsibilities

 

Anticipated 2-4 direct reports during first year of employment.
Will be required to supervise external consultants, including scientific research, CMC and Intellectual Property

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
    3  

 

Exhibit B

 

CONFIDENTIALITY

AND ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTIONS AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated for reference the 8th day of March, 2018 (the “Effective Date”).

 

BETWEEN:

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC., a company incorporated under the laws of British Columbia (the “Company”), with offices at Suite 340, 200 Granville St., Vancouver, B.C.V6C 1S4

 

 

AND:

 

Eric Hsu (the “Executive”), of 5780 Fremlin St., Vancouver, BC V5Z 3W7

 

WHEREAS:

 

 

A.       The Company is a pre-clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that specializes in developing therapies through the research and development of novel, cannabinoid-based therapies combined with innovative drug delivery systems;

 

B.             In connection with the employment of the Executive by the Company, the parties desire to establish the terms and conditions under which the Executive will (i) receive from and disclose to the Company proprietary and confidential information; (ii) agree to keep the information confidential, to protect it from disclosure and to use it only in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and (iii) assign to the Company all rights, including any ownership interest which may arise in all inventions and intellectual property developed or disclosed by the Executive over the course of his work during his employment with the Company, as set out in this Agreement.

 

NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that in consideration of the employment of the Executive by the Company and the payment by the Company to the Executive of the sum of $10.00 and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. INTERPRETATION

 

1.1 Definitions. In this Agreement:

 

(a) Affiliate” means, in respect of the Company, a company or other entity which directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company. For the purposes of this definition, “control” means direct or indirect beneficial ownership of a greater than 50% interest in the income of such company or entity or such other relationship as, in fact, constitutes actual control.
 
    4  

 

(b) Business” or “Business of the Company” means:
(i) researching, developing, commercializing, producing and marketing novel, cannabinoid-based therapies combined with innovative drug delivery systems; or
(ii) any other area in which the Company has an active research and development program on the date the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates and in connection with which the Executive directly provided service or had direct supervisory responsibilities.

 

(c) Confidential Information” shall mean all information, knowledge, or data, whether in written, oral, electronic or other form, relating to the Business of the Company, whether or not conceived, originated, discovered or developed in whole or in part by the Executive, that is not generally known to the public or to other persons who are not bound by obligations of confidentiality and:

 

(i) from which the Company or its Affiliates derive economic value, actual or potential, from the information not being generally known; or

 

(ii) in respect of which the Company or its Affiliates otherwise have a legitimate interest in maintaining secrecy;

 

and which, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall include:

 

(iii) all proprietary information licensed to, acquired, used or developed by the Company and its Affiliates in its research and development activities (including but not restricted to the research and development of RNA interference drugs and delivery technology), other scientific strategies and concepts, designs, know-how, information, material, formulas, processes, research data and proprietary rights in the nature of copyrights, patents, trademarks, licenses and industrial designs;

 

(iv) all information relating to the Business of the Company, and to all other aspects of the structure, personnel and operations of the Company and its Affiliates, including financial, clinical, regulatory, marketing, advertising and commercial information and strategies, customer lists, compilations, agreements and contractual records and correspondence; programs, devices, concepts, inventions, designs, methods, processes, data, know- how, unique combinations of separate items that is not generally known and items provided or disclosed to the Company or its Affiliates by third parties subject to restrictions on use or disclosure;
 
    5  

 

(v) all know-how relating to the Business of the Company, including all biological, chemical, pharmacological, toxicological, pharmaceutical, physical and analytical, clinical, safety, manufacturing and quality control data and information, and all applications, registrations, licenses, authorizations, approvals and correspondence submitted to regulatory authorities;

 

(vi) all information relating to the businesses of competitors of the Company or its Affiliates, including information relating to competitors’ research and development, intellectual property, operations, financial, clinical, regulatory, marketing, advertising and commercial strategies, that is not generally known;

 

(vii) all information provided to the Company or its Affiliates by their agents, consultants, lawyers, contractors, licensors or licensees and relating to the Business of the Company; and

 

(viii) all information relating to the Executive’s compensation and benefits, including his salary, vacation, stock options, perquisites, severance notice, rights on termination and all other compensation and benefits, except that he shall be entitled to disclose such information to his bankers, advisors, agents, consultants and other third parties who have a duty of confidence to him and who have a need to know such information in order to provide advice, products or services to him.

 

All Work Product shall be deemed to be the Company’s Confidential Information.

 

(d) Intellectual Property” is used in its broadest sense and means and includes any statutory, common law, equitable, contractual or proprietary rights or interests, recognized currently or in future, in and to any Inventions, including, without limitation, rights and interests in and to the following:

 

(i) knowledge, know-how and its embodiments, including trade secret information;

 

(ii) patents in inventions, and all applications therefor;

 

(iii) copyrights in artistic, literary, dramatic, musical, and neighbouring works, copyrightable works of authorship including technical descriptions for products, user guides, illustrations, advertising materials, computer programs, source code and object code, and all applications therefor;

 

(iv) trademarks, service marks, tradenames, business names and domain names and all applications therefor;

 

(v) industrial designs and all other industrial or intellectual property and all applications therefor; and
 
    6  

 

(vi) all goodwill connected with the foregoing.

 

(e) Inventions” shall mean any and all inventions, discoveries, developments, enhancements, improvements, concepts, formulas, designs, processes, ideas, writings and other works, whether or not reduced to practice, and whether or not protectable under patent, copyright, trade secret or similar laws.

 

(f) Work Product” shall mean any and all Inventions and possible Inventions relating to the Business of the Company and which the Executive may make or conceive, alone or jointly with others, during his involvement in any capacity with the Company, whether during or outside his regular working hours, except those Inventions made or conceived by the Executive entirely on his own time that do not relate to the Business of the Company and do not derive from any equipment, supplies, facilities, Confidential Information or other information, gained, directly or indirectly, from or through his involvement in any capacity with the Company.

 

2. CONFIDENTIALITY

 

2.1       Prior Business Confidential Information. The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that the Executive has not brought or used, and the Executive covenants and agrees that the Executive will not use or bring to the Company any confidential information of any kind whatsoever of any prior party (the “Prior Business”) with whom the Executive was previously involved, whether such involvement was as an employee, director or officer of that Prior Business, an investor in that Prior Business, a partner in that Prior Business, a consultant to that Prior Business or other relationship to that Prior Business (the “Prior Involvement”). The Company and the Executive acknowledge and agree that the Company is not employing the Executive to obtain confidential information relating to any Prior Involvement and the Executive acknowledges that the Company has advised the Executive to comply with any and all legal obligations the Executive may have to such Prior Business. The Executive covenants and agrees to hold the Company harmless from any and all claims and damages of any kind whatsoever that the Company may suffer as a result of any breach by the Executive of his obligations to such Prior Business in that regard.

 

2.2       Basic Obligation of Confidentiality. The Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that in the course of his involvement with the Company, the Company may disclose to him or he may otherwise have access or be exposed to Confidential Information. The Company hereby agrees to provide such access to the Executive and the Executive hereby agrees to receive and hold all Confidential Information on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement. Except as otherwise set out in this Agreement, the Executive will keep strictly confidential all Confidential Information and all other information belonging to the Company that he acquires, observes or is informed of, directly or indirectly, in connection with his involvement, in any capacity, with the Company both during and after the term of his employment in any capacity with the Company.

 

2.3       Fiduciary Capacity. The Executive will be and act toward the Company and its Affiliates as a fiduciary in respect of the Confidential Information.

       

 

 
    7  

 

2.4       Non-disclosure. Except with the prior written consent of the Company, the Executive will not at any time, either during or after he involvement in any capacity with the Company;

 

(a) use or copy any Confidential Information or recollections thereof for any purpose other than the performance of his duties for the benefit of the Company and its Affiliates;

 

(b) publish or disclose any Confidential Information or recollections thereof to any person other than to employees of the Company and its Affiliates who have a need to know such Confidential Information in the performance of their duties for the Company or its Affiliates;

 

(c) permit or cause any Confidential Information to be used, copied, published, disclosed, translated or adapted except as otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement; or

 

(d) permit or cause any Confidential Information to be stored off the premises of the Company, including permitting or causing such Confidential Information to be stored in electronic format on personal computers, except in accordance with written procedures of the Company, as amended from time to time in writing.

 

2.5       Taking Precautions. The Executive will take all reasonable precautions necessary or prudent to prevent material in his possession or control that contains or refers to Confidential Information from being discovered, used or copied by third parties.

 

2.6       The Company’s Ownership of Confidential Information. As between the Executive and the Company, the Company shall own all right, title and interest in and to the Confidential Information, whether or not created or developed by the Executive.

 

2.7       Control of Confidential Information and Return of Information. All physical materials produced or prepared by the Executive containing Confidential Information, including, without limitation, records, devices, computer files, data, notes, reports, proposals, lists, correspondence, specifications, drawings, plans, materials, accounts, reports, financial statements, estimates and all other materials prepared in the course of his responsibilities to or for the benefit of the Company or its Affiliates, together with all copies thereof (in whatever medium recorded), shall belong to the Company, and the Executive will promptly turn over to the Company’s possession every original and copy of any and all such items in his possession or control upon request by the Company. If the material is such that it cannot reasonably be delivered, upon request from the Company, the Executive will provide reasonable evidence that such materials have been destroyed, purged or erased.

 

2.8       Purpose of Use. The Executive agrees that he will use Confidential Information only for purposes authorized or directed by the Company.

 

2.9       Exemptions. The obligations of confidentiality set out in this Article 2 will not apply to any of the following:

       

 

 
    8  

 

(a) information that is already known to the Executive, though not due to a prior disclosure by the Company or its Affiliates or by a person who obtained knowledge of the information, directly or indirectly, from the Company or its Affiliates;

 

(b) information disclosed to the Executive by another person who is not obliged to maintain the confidentiality of that information and who did not obtain knowledge of the information, directly or indirectly, from the Company or its Affiliates;

 

(c) information that is developed by the Executive independently of Confidential Information received from the Company or its Affiliates and such independent development can be documented by the Executive;

 

(d) other particular information or material which the Company expressly exempts by written instrument signed by the Company;

 

(e) information or material that is in the public domain through no fault of the Executive; and

 

(f) information required by operation of law, court order or government agency to be disclosed, provided that:

 

(i) in the event that the Executive is required to disclose such information or material, upon becoming aware of the obligation to disclose, the Executive will provide to the Company prompt written notice so that the Company may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance with the provisions of this Agreement;

 

(ii) if the Company agrees that the disclosure is required by law, it will give the Executive written authorization to disclose the information for the required purposes only;

 

(iii) if the Company does not agree that the disclosure is required by law, this Agreement will continue to apply, except to the extent that a Court of competent jurisdiction orders otherwise; and

 

(iv) if a protective order or other remedy is not obtained or if compliance with this Agreement is waived, the Executive will furnish only that portion of the Confidential Information that is legally required and will exercise all reasonable efforts to obtain confidential treatment of such Confidential Information.

 

3. ASSIGNMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

 

3.1       Notice of Invention. The Executive agrees to promptly and fully inform the Company of all Work Product, whether or not patentable, throughout the course of his involvement, in any capacity, with the Company and from which there is a reasonable basis to believe that Intellectual Property may be derived therefrom, whether or not developed before or after execution of this Agreement. On his ceasing to be employed by the Company for any reason whatsoever, the Executive will immediately deliver up to the Company all Work Product.

      

 
    9  

 

3.2       Assignment of Rights. Subject only to the exceptions set out in Attachment 1 attached to this Agreement, the Executive will assign, and does hereby assign, to the Company or, at the option of the Company and upon notice from the Company, to the Company’s designee, all of his right, title and interest in and to all Work Product, including all Intellectual Property rights therein. To the extent that the Executive retains or acquires legal title to any such Intellectual Property rights and interests, the Executive hereby declares and confirms that such legal title is and will be held by him only as trustee and agent for the Company or the Company’s designee. The Executive agrees that the Company’s rights hereunder shall attach to all Intellectual Property rights in his Work Product, notwithstanding that it may be perfected or reduced to specific form after he has terminated his relationship with the Company. The Executive further agrees that the Company’s rights hereunder are worldwide rights and are not limited to Canada, but shall extend to every country of the world.

 

3.3       Moral Rights. Without limiting the foregoing, the Executive hereby irrevocably waives any and all moral rights arising under the Copyright Act (Canada), as amended, or any successor legislation of similar force and effect or similar legislation in other applicable jurisdictions or at common law that he may have with respect to all Work Product, and agrees never to assert any moral rights which he may have in the Work Product, including, without limitation, the right to the integrity of the Work Product, the right to be associated with the Work Product, the right to restrain or claim damages for any distortion, mutilation or other modification or enhancement of the Work Product and the right to restrain the use or reproduction of the Work Product in any context and in connection with any product, service, cause or institution, and the Executive further confirms that the Company may use or alter any Work Product as the Company sees fits in its absolute discretion.

 

3.4       Goodwill. The Executive hereby agrees that all goodwill he has established or may establish with clients, customers, suppliers, principals, shareholders, investors, collaborators, strategic partners, licensees, contacts or prospects of the Company relating to the Business of the Company (or of its partners, subsidiaries or affiliates), both before and after the Effective Date, shall, as between the Executive and the Company, be and remain the property of the Company exclusively, for the Company to use, alter, vary, adapt and exploit as the Company shall determine in its discretion.

 

3.5       Assistance. The Executive hereby agrees to reasonably assist the Company, at the Company’s request and expense, in:

 

(a) making patent applications for all Work Product, including instructions to lawyers and/or patent agents as to the characteristics of the Work Product in sufficient detail to enable the preparation of a suitable patent specification, to execute all formal documentation incidental to an application for letters patent and to execute assignment documents in favour of the Company for such applications;

 

(b) making applications for all other forms of Intellectual Property registration relating to all Work Product;
 
    10  

 

(c) prosecuting and maintaining the patent applications and other Intellectual Property relating to all Work Product; and

 

(d) registering, maintaining and enforcing the patents and other Intellectual Property registrations relating to all Work Product.

 

If the Company is unable for any reason to secure the Executive’s signature with respect to any Work Product including, without limitation, to apply for or to pursue any application for any patents or copyright registrations covering such Work Product, then the Executive hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as his agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and in his behalf and stead to execute and file any papers, oaths and to do all other lawfully permitted acts with respect to such Work Product with the same legal force and effect as if executed by him.

 

3.6       Assistance with Proceedings. The Executive further agrees to reasonably assist the Company, at the Company’s request and expense, in connection with any defence to an allegation of infringement of another person’s intellectual property rights, claim of invalidity of another person’s intellectual property rights, opposition to, or intervention regarding, an application for letters patent, copyright or trademark or other proceedings relating to Intellectual Property or applications for registration thereof.

 

3.7       Commercialization. The Executive understands that the decision whether or not to commercialize or market any Work Product is within the Company’s sole discretion and for the Company’s sole benefit and that no royalty or other consideration will be due or payable to him as a result of the Company’s efforts to commercialize or market any such Work Product.

 

3.8       Prior Business Intellectual Property. The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that he has not brought or used, and the Executive covenants and agrees that he will not use or bring to the Company any Intellectual Property of any kind whatsoever of any Prior Business with whom the Executive had a Prior Involvement or any Intellectual Property directly owned by the Executive. The Company and the Executive acknowledge and agree that the Company is not employing the Executive to obtain Intellectual Property relating to any Prior Involvement and the Executive acknowledges that the Company has advised the Executive to comply with any legal obligations the Executive may have to such Prior Business. The Executive covenants and agrees to hold the Company harmless from any and all claims and damages of any kind whatsoever that the Company may suffer as a result any breach by the Executive of his obligations to such Prior Business in that regard.

 

3.9       Prior Inventions. In order to have them excluded from this Agreement, the Executive has set forth on Attachment 1 attached to this Agreement a complete list of all Inventions for which a patent application has not yet been filed that he has, alone or jointly with others, conceived, developed or reduced to practice prior to the execution of this Agreement to which he has any right, title or interest, and which relate to the Business of the Company. If such list is blank or no such list is attached, the Executive represents and warrants that there are no such prior Inventions.

    

 
    11  

 

4. GENERAL

 

4.1       Term. Subject to Section 4.10, the term of this Agreement is from the Effective Date and terminates on the date that the Executive is no longer working at or for the Company in any capacity.

 

4.2       No Conflicting Obligations. The Executive hereby represents and warrants that he has no agreements with or obligations to any other person with respect to the matters covered by this Agreement or concerning the Confidential Information that are in conflict with anything in this Agreement, except as disclosed in Attachment 1 attached to this Agreement.

 

4.3       Publicity. The Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, make or give any public announcements, press releases or statements to the public or the press regarding any Work Product or any Confidential Information.

 

4.4       Further Assurances. The parties will execute and deliver to each other such further instruments and assurances and do such further acts as may be required to give effect to this Agreement.

 

4.5       Notices. All notices and other communications that are required or permitted by this Agreement must be in writing and shall be hand delivered or sent by express delivery service or certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, or by facsimile transmission (with receipt confirmed in writing) to the parties at the addresses on page 1 of this Agreement. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been received on the earlier of the date actually received or the date five (5) days after the same was posted or sent. Either party may change its address or its facsimile number by giving the other party written notice, delivered in accordance with this section.

 

4.6       Equitable Remedies. The Executive understands and acknowledges that if he breaches any of his obligations under this Agreement, that breach may give rise to irreparable injury to the Company for which damages are an inadequate remedy. In the event of any such breach by the Executive, in addition to all other remedies available to the Company at law or in equity, the Company will be entitled as a matter of right to apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for such relief by way of restraining order, injunction, decree or otherwise, as may be appropriate to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

4.7       Non-Waiver. Failure on the part of either party to complain of any act or failure to act of the other of them or to declare the other party in default of this Agreement, irrespective of how long such failure continues, will not constitute a waiver by such party of their rights hereunder or of the right to then or subsequently declare a default.

 

4.8       Severability. In the event that any provision or part of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable in whole or in part, the remaining provisions, or parts thereof, will be and remain in full force and effect.

 

4.9       Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all agreements, understandings, warranties or representations of any kind, written or oral, express or implied, including any relating to the nature of the position or its duration, and each of the parties releases and forever discharges the other of and from all manner of actions, causes of action, claim or demands whatsoever under or in respect of any agreement.

       

 
    12  

 

4.10     Survival. Notwithstanding the expiration or early termination of this Agreement, the provisions of Article 1, Article 2 (including the obligations of confidentiality and to return Confidential Information, which shall endure, with respect to each item of Confidential Information, for so long as those items fall within the definition of Confidential Information), Sections 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 and 3.8 and Article 4 shall survive any expiration or early termination of this Agreement.

 

4.11     Modification of Agreement. Any modification of this Agreement must be in writing and signed by both the Company and the Executive or it will have no effect and will be void.

 

4.12     Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed according to the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada.

 

4.13     Independent Legal Advice. The Executive agrees that he has obtained or has had an opportunity to obtain independent legal advice in connection with this Agreement, and further acknowledge that he has read, understands, and agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions contained herein.

 

REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date and year first above written.

 

 

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

 

 

Per:   /s/ Eric A. Adams
  Eric A. Adams
  President and CEO

 

 

 

 

 
    14  

 

 

Attachment 1

to Confidentiality and Assignment of Inventions Agreement EXCLUSIONS FROM WORK PRODUCT

 

NIL

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

Exhibit C

 

GENERAL RELEASE LANGUAGE

 

The Executive agrees, for himself, his spouse, heirs, executor or administrator, assigns, insurers, attorneys, and other persons or entities acting or purporting to act on his behalf (the “Executive’s Parties”), to irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit, and forever discharge the Company, its affiliates, subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, agents, representatives, predecessors, successors, assigns, insurers, attorneys, benefit plans sponsored by the Company, and said plans’ fiduciaries, agents and trustees (the “Company’s Parties”), from any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims, obligations, liabilities, debts, demands, contentions, damages, judgments, levies, and executions of any kind, whether in law or in equity, known or unknown, which the Executive’s Parties have, have had, or may in the future claim to have against the Company’s Parties by reason of, arising out of, related to, or resulting from the Executive’s employment with the Company or the termination of that employment. This release specifically includes without limitation any claims arising in tort or contract, any claim based on wrongful discharge, any claim based on breach of contract, any claim arising under federal, state or local law prohibiting race, sex, age, religion, national origin, handicap, disability, or other forms of discrimination, any claim arising under federal, state, or local law concerning employment practices, and any claim relating to compensation or benefits. It is understood and agreed that the waiver of benefits and claims contained in this section does not include a waiver of the right to payment of any vested, non-forfeitable benefits to which the Executive or a beneficiary of the Executive may be entitled under the terms and provisions of any employee benefit plan of the company which have accrued as of the Date of Termination, and does not include a waiver of the right to benefits and payment of consideration to which the Executive may be entitled under this Agreement or any of the agreements contemplated by this Agreement (including the indemnification agreement and the stock option agreement). The Executive acknowledges that he is entitled to only the severance benefits and compensation set forth in this Agreement, and that all other claims for any other benefits or compensation are hereby waived, except those expressly stated in the preceding sentence.

 

The Executive hereby acknowledges his understanding that under this Agreement he is releasing any known or unknown claims he may have.

 

The Executive expressly waives and relinquishes all rights and benefits under that section and any law of any jurisdiction of similar effect with respect to his release of claims.

 

 
 

 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

EXISTING CONFLICTS

 

 

None.

 

Exhibit 10.4.1

 

 

InMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Suite #340- 200 Granville St.
Vancouver, BC V6C 1S4

Canada

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13 April 2018

 

 

Dear Eric,

 

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors recently conducted a thorough review of InMed’s compensation programs, including salary, bonus and equity position of its employees versus industry standards for both private and public biotechnology companies in Canada and the US.

 

This letter addresses two components, salary level and target annual bonus.

 

I am pleased to confirm your annualized salary level of $140,000, less statutory withholdings, in recognition of your 50% time commitment to your duties as VP of Pre-clinical R&D of InMed. I suggest we revisit this time commitment on a quarterly basis and make any adjustments as needed to best reflect your efforts.

 

Additionally, your annual target bonus will be 30% of your annual salary. Achieving this target bonus will be dependent on several factors, including the Corporate and individual goals for your position as defined on an annual basis. Review of the achievement of these goals will take place after our fiscal year end on June 30 and the bonus will be payable subsequent to that analysis.

 

On behalf of the entire Management Team and Board of Directors, thank you for your contributions to the Company’s success and we look forward to achieving more, together.

 

/s/ Eric A. Adams

Eric A. Adams President and CEO

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.

 

Exhibit 10.4.2

 

 

 

 

InMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Suite #340- 200 Granville St.
Vancouver, BC V6C 1S4
Canada

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

01 SEPTEMBER 2018

 

 

Dear Eric Hsu,

 

In recognition of your agreement to increase your work commitment to InMed to 80% of full time, I am pleased to make the following changes to your compensation:

 

Base Salary - will increase to $224,000 as of the date of this letter; and

 

Options - subject to approval by the Board of Directors, you will be issued an additional 270,000 options to purchase common shares in the Company as per the Company’s standard options policies, priced on or around the date of this letter.

 

On behalf of the entire Management Team and Board of Directors, thank you for your contributions to the Company’s success and we look forward to achieving more, together.

 

/s/ Eric A. Adams

Eric A. Adams President and CEO

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.

 

Exhibit 10.4.3

 

 

InMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Suite #340- 200 Granville St.
Vancouver, BC V6C 1S4
Canada

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 March 2019

 

 

Dear Eric Hsu,

 

On behalf of InMed’s Board of Directors, I am pleased to announce your promotion to Senior Vice President, Pre-Clinical R&D. Additionally, in recognition of your agreement to increase your work commitment to InMed to full time (100%), I am pleased to make the following changes to your compensation:

 

Base Salary - will increase to $290,000 effective March 1, 2019; and

 

Options - subject to approval by the Board of Directors, you will be issued an additional 255,000 options to purchase common shares in the Company as per the Company’s standard options policies, priced on or around the date of this letter.

 

On behalf of the entire Management Team and Board of Directors, thank you for your contributions to the Company’s success and we look forward to achieving more, together.

/s/ Eric A. Adams

Eric A. Adams President and CEO

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.

 

 

Exhibit 10.5

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT made this 8th day of April, 2020 (the “Effective Date”)

 

BETWEEN:

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC., a company incorporated under the laws of British Columbia (the “Company”), with offices at Suite 310, 815 West Hastings St., Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 1B4 Facsimile: (604) 683-2506

 

AND: 

 

ALEXANDRA D. J. MANCINI (the “Executive”), of 5371 Kew Cliff Road, West Vancouver, British Columbia V7W 1M3

 

WHEREAS:

 

A.          The Company is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that specializes in developing therapies through the research and development of novel, cannabinoid-based therapies combined with innovative drug delivery systems;

 

B.           The Executive has the expertise, qualifications and required certifications to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; and

 

C.           The Company and the Executive entered into an executive employment agreement dated October 28, 2016, as amended, (the “Original Agreement”) for the performance of such services, and the parties now desire to amend and restate the Original Agreement on the terms and conditions herein set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged.

 

NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. EMPLOYMENT

 

(a) The Executive will be employed by and will serve the Company as its Senior Vice President (SVP) of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs and will have powers and duties consistent with such position as may from time to time be prescribed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), as outlined in Exhibit A. The Executive will report directly to the CEO and will comply with all lawful instructions given by the CEO.

 

 

- 2 - 

 

(b) The terms and conditions of this Agreement will have effect as and from the Effective Date and the Executive’s employment as SVP will continue until terminated as provided for in this Agreement.

 

(c) The Executive acknowledges and agrees that in addition to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Executive’s employment with the Company is subject to and governed by the Company’s policies as established from time to time. The Executive agrees to comply with the terms of such policies so long as they are not inconsistent with any provisions of the Agreement. The Executive will inform herself of the details of such policies and amendments thereto established from time to time.

 

(d) The Executive will devote herself exclusively to the Company’s business and will not be employed or engaged in any capacity in any other business without the prior permission of the CEO, such permission not to be unreasonably withheld. For greater certainty, the Executive will not serve in any capacity with any pharmaceutical or biotechnology company, firm, organization, enterprise, association or other similar entity, without the prior permission of the CEO. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive may manage her personal investments or engage in charitable or other community activities as long as those services and activities do not interfere with the Executive’s performance of her duties to the Company.

 

(e) The parties acknowledge and agree that the Confidentiality and Assignment of Inventions Agreement executed by the parties dated October 28, 2016 in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B shall remain in full force and effect.

 

2. REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

 

(a) Base Salary.

 

(i) The Company will pay the Executive an annual salary of $309,000, per annum, less required deductions (the “Base Salary”).

 

(ii) The Base Salary will be payable semi-monthly. The Executive’s Base Salary will be reviewed annually by the Board and the compensation committee of the Company in accordance with the Company’s annual performance and compensation review process, including consideration of the Company’s market capitalization and financial stability, and is subject to increase but not decrease, except for an across-the-board salary reduction affecting all or substantially all senior executives of the Company, nor will it necessarily result in an increase to the Base Salary. The base salary in effect at any given time is referred to as “Base Salary” and this Agreement need not be modified to reflect a change in Base Salary. The Base Salary is subject to withholding and payable in a manner that is consistent with the Company’s usual payroll practices for senior executives.

 

 

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(b) Bonus. The Executive is eligible to be considered for an annual discretionary bonus of up to 35% of Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”) which will be subject to the approval of the Board and the compensation committee of the Company, in their sole discretion, on an annual basis in accordance with the Company’s annual performance and compensation review process, including consideration of the Company’s market capitalization and financial stability. Payment of a bonus in any one year will not indicate the payment of a bonus in any other year.

 

(c) Stock Options Issued with Original Agreement. The Executive’s allotment of stock options in the capital of the Company shall be 400,000 stock options (the “Options”) pursuant to the Company’s Incentive Stock Option Plan (the “Stock Option Plan”). If the Company has granted any stock options to the Executive prior to the Original Agreement date, then the number of stock options so granted will be deducted from the number of Options to be issued to the Executive hereunder, so that the total number of stock options granted to the Executive is 400,000 stock options. The Options shall be priced at Market price in accordance with and subject to the Option policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange and the Company’s Insider Trading Guidelines and the blackout provisions therein. The Options will vest as follows:

Type of Option Total Number of Options Vesting Number Vesting Date
Options issued with Original Agreement 400,000 100,000 28 October 2016
100,000 6 months after
28 October 2016
100,000 12 months after
28 October 2016
100,000 18 months after
28 October 2016

 

(d) The Options will cease to vest on the Date of Termination of this Agreement (as defined in Section 5(g)). The terms and conditions relating to the Options will be subject to the Option Agreement that is entered into concurrently with the Original Agreement, as well as the Stock Option Plan. If there is any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Stock Option Plan, the terms of the Stock Option Plan will govern. If there is any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Option Agreement, the terms of this Agreement will govern to the extent of the conflict.

 

(e) Expenses. The Company will reimburse the Executive for all reasonable expenses actually and properly incurred by the Executive in performing services under this Agreement, in accordance with the policies and procedures then in effect and established by the Company for its senior executives. The Executive will provide the Company with receipts supporting the Executive’s claims for reimbursement.

 

 

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(f) Other Benefits. The Company will facilitate the Executive’s enrolment in the Company’s insurance benefits plans, if any, as may be amended from time to time by the Company or the Company’s insurance carrier. In all cases, eligibility to participate in the plans and to receive benefits under the plans will be subject to the terms and requirements of the applicable insurance carrier in accordance with the formal benefits plan documents and policies. Any issues with respect to entitlement to or payment of benefits under the benefits package will be governed by the terms of such documents and policies. The Company will not be responsible for the payment of benefits in any circumstance. Further, the Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend, change or terminate any of the insurance benefit plans or providers.

 

(g) Vacation. The Executive is entitled to paid holidays and vacation days each year, in an amount determined in accordance with and subject to the Company’s applicable policies in effect, and as may be amended from time to time. The Executive will be entitled to 30 days of vacation per calendar year, which will be pro-rated for any year in which the Executive is only employed with the Company for a portion of the year or for any period in which the Executive is not a full-time employee. Vacation days will be scheduled at times that are mutually acceptable to the Executive and the Company. Carry-over of vacation days will be according to Company policy, and any accrued but unused vacation days will be paid out upon termination or otherwise as per Company policies.

 

3. NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION

 

(a) The biotechnology industry is highly competitive and employees leaving the employ of the Company have the ability to cause significant damage to the Company’s interests if they join a competing business immediately upon leaving the Company.

 

(b)          Definitions:

 

(i)           “Business” or “Business of the Company” means the researching, developing, commercializing, producing and marketing novel, cannabinoid-based therapies combined with innovative drug delivery systems.

 

(ii)          “Competing Business” means any endeavor, activity or business which is competitive in any material way with the Business of the Company worldwide.

 

(iii)         “Contact” means any person, firm, corporation or other entity that was a client, customer, supplier, principal, shareholder, investor, collaborator, strategic partner, licensee, contact or prospect of the Company (or of its partners or funders) with whom the Executive dealt or otherwise became

 

 

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 aware of during the term of the Executive’s employment in any capacity with the Company.

 

(iv) Restricted Period” means a period of 12 months.

 

(c)            Reasonableness. The Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that:

 

(i) both before and since the commencement of the Executive’s employment by the Company, the Company has operated and competed and will operate and compete worldwide, with respect to the Business of the Company;

 

(ii) competitors of the Company and the Business are located worldwide;

 

(iii) in order to protect the Company adequately, any enjoinder of competition would have to apply to any country in which the Company, during the term of the Executive’s employment, had material business relationships;

 

(iv) during the course of the Executive’s employment with the Company, on behalf of the Company, the Executive will acquire knowledge of, and will come into contact with, initiate and establish relationships with, both existing and new clients, customers, suppliers, principals, contacts and prospects of the Company, and that in some circumstances the Executive may become the senior or sole representative of the Company dealing with such persons; and

 

(v) in light of the foregoing, the provisions of this Article 3 are reasonable and necessary for the proper protection of the Business of the Company.

 

(d) Restrictive Covenant. Except as set forth on Exhibit D attached hereto, during the term of the Executive’s employment and for the Restricted Period after the termination thereof, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Board, such consent to be granted or withheld in the Board’s sole discretion, within the geographic scope of any country in which the Company, during the term of the Executive’s employment, had material business relationships, carry on or be employed by or engaged in or have any financial or other interest in or be otherwise commercially involved in a Competing Business, directly or indirectly, either individually or in partnership or jointly or in conjunction with any person, firm, corporation or other entity, as principal, agent, consultant, advisor, employee, shareholder or in any manner whatsoever.

 

(e) Exception. The Executive shall not be in default of Section 3(d) by virtue of the Executive:

 

(i) following the termination of employment, holding, strictly for portfolio purposes and as a passive investor, no more than five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding shares of, or any other interest in, any corporation or other entity which is listed on any recognized stock exchange, that is a Competing Business; or

 

(ii) during the term of the Executive’s employment, holding, strictly for portfolio purposes and as a passive investor, issued and outstanding shares

 

 

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of, or any other interest in, any corporation or other entity, the business of which corporation or other entity is in the same Business as the Company provided such corporation is not a Competing Business, and provided further that the Executive first obtains the Company’s written consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

If the Executive holds issued and outstanding shares or any other interest in a corporation or other entity pursuant to Section 3(e)(ii) above, and following the acquisition of such shares or other interest the business of the corporation or other entity becomes a Competing Business, the Executive will promptly dispose of the Executive’s shares or other interest in such corporation or other entity.

 

(f) Non-Solicitation. The Executive shall not, during the term of the Executive’s employment and for the Restricted Period after the termination thereof for any reason, whether legal or illegal, either individually or in partnership or jointly or in conjunction with any person, firm, corporation or other entity, as principal, agent, consultant, advisor, employee, shareholder or in any manner whatsoever, without the prior written and informed consent of the Company, directly or indirectly:

 

(i) canvass or solicit the business of (or procure or assist the canvassing or soliciting of the business of) any Contact, or otherwise solicit, induce or encourage any Contact to curtail or cease its relationship with the Company, for any purpose which is competitive with the Business; or

 

(ii) accept (or procure or assist the acceptance of) any business from any Contact which business is competitive with the Business; or

 

(iii) be employed by or supply (or procure or assist the supply of) any goods or services to any Contact for any purpose which is competitive with the Business; or

 

(iv) employ, engage, offer employment or engagement to or solicit the employment or engagement of or otherwise entice away from or solicit, induce or encourage to leave the employment or engagement of the Company, any individual who is employed or engaged by the Company whether or not such individual would commit any breach of the Executive’s contract or terms of employment or engagement by leaving the employ or the engagement of the Company, provided that the Executive shall be permitted, solely in a personal capacity, to provide letters of reference for individuals who are employed by the Company.

 

(g) Validity. The Executive expressly recognizes and acknowledges that it is the intent of the parties that the Executive’s activities following the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company be restricted in the manner described in this Article 3, and acknowledges that good, valuable, and sufficient consideration has been provided in exchange for such restrictions. The Executive agrees that should any of the restrictions contained in this Article 3 be found to be unreasonable to any extent by a court of competent jurisdiction adjudicating upon the validity of the restriction, whether as to the scope of the restriction, the area of the restriction

 

 

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or the duration of the restriction, then such restriction shall be reduced to that which is in fact declared reasonable by such court, or a subsequent court of competent jurisdiction, requested to make such a declaration, in order to ensure that the intention of the parties is given the greatest possible effect.

 

4. INJUNCTIVE RELIEF

 

(a) The Executive understands and agrees that the Company has a material interest in preserving the relationships it has developed with its executives, customers and suppliers against impairment by competitive activities of a former executive. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that the restrictions and covenants contained in Article 3 are reasonably required for the protection of the Company and its goodwill and that the Executive’s agreement to those restrictions and covenants by the execution of this Agreement, are of the essence to this Agreement and constitute a material inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement and to employ the Executive, and that the Company would not enter into this Agreement absent such an inducement.

 

(b) The Executive understands and acknowledges that if the Executive breaches Article 3, that breach will give rise to irreparable injury to the Company for which damages are an inadequate remedy, and the Company may pursue injunctive relief for such breach in a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

5. TERMINATION

 

The Executive’s employment by the Company may be terminated under the following circumstances:

 

(a) Death. The Executive’s employment hereunder will terminate upon the Executive’s death.

 

(b) Disability. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment if the Executive is disabled (as determined by the CEO) in a manner that renders the Executive unable to perform the essential functions of the Executive’s then existing position or positions under this Agreement with or without reasonable accommodation for a period of six (6) months or more. Nothing in this Section 5(b) will be construed to waive the Executive’s rights, if any, under the Company’s insurance benefits plans accruing prior to termination or under applicable law.

 

(c) Termination by Company for Cause.

 

(i) The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment For Cause at any time, without notice or payment in lieu thereof. The payment by the Company of the Executive’s Accrued Benefits shall be subject to any other rights or remedies of the Company under law and thereafter all obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall cease.

 

 

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(ii) For the purposes of this Agreement, “For Cause” shall mean:

 

(A) the Executive is convicted of a crime involving dishonesty, breach of trust, or physical harm to any person (excluding driving while affected by drugs or alcohol) or any violation of provincial or federal securities laws;

 

(B) the Executive willfully engages in conduct that is in bad faith and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise, including but not limited to, misappropriation of trade secrets, fraud or embezzlement;

 

(C) the Executive commits a material breach of this Agreement;

 

(D) the Executive willfully refuses to implement or follow a lawful policy or directive of the Company; or

 

(E) the Executive willfully and on a continuing basis fails to perform her duties hereunder diligently and professionally.

 

(d) Termination by the Company without Cause.

 

(i) The Company, in its sole discretion, may terminate the Executive’s employment under this Agreement without Cause at any time.

 

(ii) For the purposes of this Agreement, any termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement that does not constitute a termination “For Cause” under Section 5(c) and does not result from the death or disability of the Executive under Sections 5(a) or 5(b), respectively, shall be a termination “without Cause”.

 

(e) Resignation by Executive.

 

(i) The Executive may terminate her employment by providing to the Company Notice of Termination of her employment at least 90 days prior to the effective date of resignation. During such notice period Executive shall continue to diligently perform all of Executive’s duties hereunder, provided that the Company shall have the option, in its sole discretion, to waive such notice period, in whole or in part, and if it does so, the Executive’s resignation will become effective and the Executive’s employment will cease on the date set by the Company in the notice of waiver, and the Executive shall be entitled to her Accrued Benefits up to and including the Date of Termination (as defined in Section 5(g)(iii)). In the event the Company waives the Executive’s notice hereunder, the Company, in its sole discretion, in the circumstances, may pay the Base Salary portion of the Executive’s Accrued Benefits by way of one or more lump sum payments, by way of salary continuance or by a combination of both.

 

(ii) The Executive may terminate her employment for Good Reason within 12 months following a Change in Control of the Company in accordance with, and subject to, the process set out in Section 7(c).

 

 

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(f) Notice of Termination. Except for termination as specified in Section 5(a), any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company or any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Executive must be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the other party. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Notice of Termination” means a written notice that indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement upon which the termination is based.

 

(g) Date of Termination. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Date of Termination” means:

 

(i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by her death, the date of her death;

 

(ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated on account of disability under Section 5(b) or by the Company for Cause under Section 5(c), or by the Company without Cause under Section 5(d) on the date the Notice of Termination is given;

 

(iii) if the Executive terminates her employment under Section 5(e)(i) without Good Reason, on the effective date of resignation specified by the Executive in the Notice of Termination (which shall be at least three (3) months after the date of the Notice of Termination) or, if no such date is specified or if the Company waives the notice period, the date that is 90 days after the date of the Notice of Termination; and

 

(iv) if the Executive terminates her employment under Section 5(e)(ii) for Good Reason following a Change in Control of the Company, the date on which a Notice of Termination.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive gives a Notice of Termination to the Company that takes effect at a future date, the Company may unilaterally accelerate the Date of Termination and that acceleration will not be deemed a termination by the Company for purposes of this Agreement.

 

6. COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION

 

(a) Termination Generally. If the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated for any reason, the Company shall pay or provide to the Executive (or to her authorized representative or estate) on or before the time required by law, but in no event more than 30 days after the Executive’s Date of Termination:

 

(i) unpaid expense reimbursements;

 

(ii) accrued but unused vacation to the extent payment is required by law or Company policy;

 

(iii) any vested benefits the Executive may have under any employee benefit plan of the Company;

 

 

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(iv) any earned but unpaid Base Salary; and

 

(v) any earned but unpaid annual bonus for the prior fiscal year;

 

for service up to and including the Date of Termination (collectively the “Accrued Benefits”). The Executive shall not be entitled to any other salary, compensation, bonus (or pro rata share thereof) or benefits from the Company thereafter, except as otherwise specifically provided hereunder, under the Company’s employee benefit plans or as expressly required by applicable law.

 

(b) Termination by the Company without Cause. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause, then the Company shall pay the Executive her Accrued Benefits as of the Date of Termination. In addition, subject to Article 7 and the Executive providing the Company with a general release of claims in a form and manner that includes but is not limited to the terms set forth in the attached Exhibit C (the “Release”) within the 60-day period following the Date of Termination, the Company shall pay the Executive an amount (the “Severance Amount”) calculated as follows:

 

(i) if terminated during the initial 12 months of employment, an amount equal to four (4) months’ Base Salary, less withholding;

 

(ii) if terminated any time after the initial 12 months of employment but prior to the 36 month anniversary of the Original Agreement date, an amount equal to eight (8) months’ Base Salary, less withholding; or

 

(iii) if terminated any time after the 36 month anniversary of the Original Agreement date, an amount equal to twelve (12) months’ Base Salary, less withholding;

 

plus:

 

(iv) additionally, in any event, a bonus payment equal to the average of the actual bonus payments, if any, made to the Executive from the previous three (3) calendar years preceding the Date of Termination, pro-rated for the then current calendar year up to and including the Date of Termination.

 

The Company shall pay the Severance Amount within 60 days after the Date of Termination, provided that if that 60-day period extends over two (2) calendar years, the Company shall make the payment in the second calendar year, and further provided that the Company, in its sole discretion, in the circumstances, may pay the Severance Amount by way of one or more lump sum payments, by way of salary continuance or by a combination of both. The Severance Amount is inclusive of any entitlement to minimum standard severance under the British Columbia Employment Standards Act.

 

 

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7. CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

(a) The provisions of this Article 7 set forth the Executive’s rights and obligations upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company. These provisions are intended to assure and encourage in advance the Executive’s continued attention and dedication to her assigned duties and her objectivity during the pendency and after the occurrence of any Change in Control. Where the provisions of this Article 7 apply, they shall supersede the payment of the Severance Amount under Section 6(b). The provisions of this Article 7 are subject to the Executive providing to the Company, and not revoking, a fully effective Release.

 

(b) Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(i) Change in Control” means the consummation of any of the following:

 

(A) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to an unrelated person or entity;

 

(B) a merger, reorganization, or consolidation involving the Company in which the shares of voting stock outstanding immediately prior to the transaction represent or are converted into or exchanged for securities of the surviving or resulting entity that, immediately upon completion of the transaction, represent less than 51% of the outstanding voting power of the surviving or resulting entity;

 

(C) the acquisition of all or a majority of the outstanding voting stock of the Company in a single transaction or a series of related transactions by a person or group of persons; or

 

(D) any other acquisition of the business of the Company, as determined by the Board;

 

but any public offering by the Company, or another capital raising event, or a merger effected solely to change the Company’s domicile does not constitute a Change in Control; and

 

(ii) Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events without the Executive's prior written consent:

 

(A) a change in the Executive’s position which materially reduces the Executive’s responsibilities from the responsibilities in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control;

 

(B) a reduction by the Company of the Executive’s Base Salary or Target Bonus percentage, except for an across-the-board salary reduction affecting all senior executives of the Company; or

 

(C) a relocation of Executive’s principal place of employment by more than 30 kilometres.

 

(c) Change in Control Severance. If within 12 months following a Change in Control:

 

 

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(i) the Company terminates the Executive’s employment with the Company without Cause; or

 

(ii) the Executive resigns from her employment with the Company for Good Reason;

 

then,

 

(iii) in addition to paying the Executive her Accrued Benefits and in lieu of paying the Executive the Severance Amount, the Company shall pay to the Executive an amount (the “Change in Control Severance Amount”) as follows:

 

(A) an amount equal to twelve (12) months’ Base Salary, less withholding;

 

plus:

 

(B) a bonus payment equal to the average of the actual bonus payments, if any, made to the Executive from the previous three (3) calendar years preceding the Date of Termination, pro-rated for the then current calendar year up to and including the Date of Termination.

 

The Company shall pay the Change in Control Severance Amount within 60 days after the Date of Termination, provided that if that 60-day period extends over two (2) calendar years, the Company shall make the payment in the second calendar year, and further provided that the Company, in its sole discretion, in the circumstances, may pay the Change in Control Severance Amount by way of one or more lump sum payments, by way of salary continuance or by a combination of both. The Change in Control Severance Amount is inclusive of any entitlement to minimum standard severance under the British Columbia Employment Standards Act; and

 

(iv) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any applicable option agreement or stock-based award agreement, all stock options and other stock-based awards held by the Executive shall immediately accelerate, vest, and become fully exercisable or non-forfeitable as of the Date of Termination hereunder.

 

8. RETURN OF MATERIALS UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

 

The Executive will return to the Company all Company documents, files, manuals, books, software, equipment, keys, equipment, identification or credit cards, and all other property belonging to Company upon the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason.

 

 

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9. GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

(a) Withholding. All payments made by the Company to the Executive under this Agreement will be net of any tax or other amounts required to be withheld by the Company under applicable law. Nothing in this Agreement is to be construed to obligate the Company to design or implement any compensation arrangement in a way that minimizes tax consequences for the Executive.

 

(b) Successor to Company. The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no succession had taken place. Failure of the Company to obtain an assumption of this Agreement at or prior to the effectiveness of any succession is a material breach of this Agreement.

 

(c) Successor to the Executive. This Agreement inures to the benefit of and is enforceable by the Executive’s personal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, devisees, and legatees. If the Executive dies after her termination of employment but prior to the completion by the Company of all payments due the Executive under this Agreement, the Company shall continue the payments to the Executive’s beneficiary designated in writing to the Company prior to her death (or to her estate, if the Executive fails to make such a designation).

 

(d) Non-Waiver. Failure on the part of either party to complain of any act or failure to act of the other of them or to declare the other party in default of this Agreement, irrespective of how long such failure continues, will not constitute a waiver by such party of their rights hereunder or of the right to then or subsequently declare a default.

 

(e) Severability. In the event that any provision or part of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable in whole or in part, the remaining provisions, or parts thereof, will be and remain in full force and effect.

 

(f) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the employment of the Executive and supersedes any and all agreements, understandings, warranties or representations of any kind, written or oral, express or implied, including any relating to the nature of the position or its duration, and each of the parties releases and forever discharges the other of and from all manner of actions, causes of action, claim or demands whatsoever under or in respect of any agreement.

 

(g) Survival. The provisions of this Agreement survive the termination of this Agreement and/or the termination of the Executive’s employment to the extent necessary to effectuate the intent of the Parties as expressed in this Agreement.

 

 

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(h) Modification of Agreement. Any modification of this Agreement must be in writing and signed by both the Company and the Executive or it will have no effect and will be void.

 

(i) Disputes. Except for disputes arising in respect of Article 3, all disputes arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and the employment relationship between the parties, are to be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration administered by the British Columbia International Commercial Arbitration Centre, pursuant to its Rules. The place of arbitration will be Vancouver, British Columbia.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed according to the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada.

 

(k) Notices. Any notices, requests, demands, and other communications provided for by this Agreement are sufficient if in writing and delivered in person or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Executive at the last address the Executive has filed in writing with the Company or, in the case of the Company, at its main offices, attention to the Corporate Secretary.

 

(l) Independent Legal Advice. The Executive agrees that she has obtained or has had an opportunity to obtain independent legal advice in connection with this Agreement, and further acknowledge that she has read, understands, and agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions contained herein. The Executive further agrees that the consideration described aforesaid is accepted voluntarily for the purpose of employment with the Company under the terms and conditions described above.

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and by each party on separate counterparts, each of which counterparts, when so executed and delivered is to be taken to be an original; but those counterparts

 

 

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together constitute one and the same document. PDF, facsimile, scanned, and electronic signatures have the same legal effect as original ink signatures.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date and year first above written.

 

  )  
SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED )  
by ALEXANDRA D.J. MANCINI in the )  
presence of: )  
     
     
Witness Signature ) ALEXANDRA D.J. MANCINI, M.Sc.
  )  
Witness Name )  
  )  
Witness Address )  
  )  
  )  
  )  
Witness Occupation )  

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.  
     
Per:    
  Eric A. Adams  
  President and CEO  

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

 

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CLINICAL AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS

 

The Sr. Vice President of Clinical & Regulatory Affairs is accountable to the CEO for strategy and operational excellence related to InMed’s clinical research programs, global regulatory compliance and submissions and quality assurance operations. Leads Sr. Management team in the development and evaluation of strategies to ensure InMed’s continued growth and business success. Leads, develops and mentors reporting staff and departments in Clinical Research, Medical Affairs, Clinical Data Management, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance. Has financial accountability for the programs under her supervision.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

 

1 Executive Management

Serve as a key and active member of the Senior Management Team, interacting with the team to ensure business objectives are aligned and that the company is performing to operational objectives. Participate in the preparation and on-going evaluation of the company’s strategic and operational plan.

Coach and mentor the Regulatory and Clinical organization ensuring appropriate levels of accountability for decision making and clearly communicate cross functionally within the organization.

Maintains up to date knowledge of overall business processes and company strategies and operationally plans and processes in finance planning and reporting, HR planning, project planning, management and reporting.

 

2 Regulatory Affairs

Provide management and leadership to the Regulatory Affairs organization in the development and implementation of regulatory strategies and processes to gain product approvals worldwide.

Provide counsel, training and interpretation of FDA and other regulatory requirements to all company personnel.

Oversee preparation and filing of all regulatory documents with the FDA and international regulatory agencies.

Develop and maintain external relationships with key opinion leaders, medical directors and regulatory officials.

Direct the development of systems, practices and processes to ensure effective ongoing review of drug development program design and adverse events.

Provide leadership and direction for significant deviation events that may impact compliance status or significant business risk.

 

3 Clinical Affairs

Develop & successfully execute global clinical and regulatory strategies and implementation plans to ensure product approval and adoption while meeting corporate objectives within applicable regulations and guidelines.

Direct the development of systems, practices and processes to ensure efficient and effective clinical trials including clinical trial management, data analysis, final study report and publication while ensuring all clinical studies operate to the highest ethical and safety standards.

Keep abreast of competitive regulatory and clinical practices and utilize this knowledge during the ongoing development and adjustment of the company plans.

 

 

 

 

Develop and maintain strong internal and external relationships with regulatory bodies and medical/clinical professionals to ensure effective clinical projects are in place and completed to support the company product and technology objectives.

 

Qualifications:

1 Education & Experience:

MSc degree in life sciences, engineering or business

15+ years regulatory and clinical experience in a life sciences technology driven company.

Experience in strategic planning and collaboration with executive and key operational groups.

Progressive & proven record of leadership and managing regulatory/clinical organization’s with global responsibility and establishing long term strategic growth initiatives.

Experience with all phases of the product development lifecycle, including concept, design, implementation, verification and validation activities necessary for product commercialization.

Extensive experience in cGMP and other Regulatory compliance requirements. Experienced in regulatory filings for US, Canada and other key countries/regions.

 

2 Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
High level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness with strong work ethic and the ability to work independently with minimal direction.

Excellent communications and presentation skills.

Ability to develop and manage a high performance team focused on accountability and meeting and exceeding expectations.

Ability to lead, influence, create and work within cross-functional team environments.

Assertive, take-charge, proven manager with a strong results orientation, positive “can do” attitude and a sense of urgency to get things done.

  

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

CONFIDENTIALITY
AND ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTIONS AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated for reference the __th day of October, 2016 (the “Effective Date”).

 

BETWEEN:

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC., a company incorporated under the laws of British Columbia (the “Company”), with offices at Suite 350, 409 Granville St, Vancouver, B.C. V6C 1T2
Facsimile: (604) 683-2506

 

AND:

 

Alexandra D.J. Mancini (the “Executive”), of 5371 Kew Cliff Road, West Vancouver, BC, V7W 1M3.

 

WHEREAS:

 

A.       The Company is a pre-clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that specializes in developing therapies through the research and development of novel, cannabinoid-based therapies combined with innovative drug delivery systems;

 

B.       In connection with the employment of the Executive by the Company, the parties desire to establish the terms and conditions under which the Executive will (i) receive from and disclose to the Company proprietary and confidential information; (ii) agree to keep the information confidential, to protect it from disclosure and to use it only in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and (iii) assign to the Company all rights, including any ownership interest which may arise in all inventions and intellectual property developed or disclosed by the Executive over the course of her work during her employment with the Company, as set out in this Agreement.

 

NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that in consideration of the employment of the Executive by the Company and the payment by the Company to the Executive of the sum of $10.00 and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. INTERPRETATION

 

1.1 Definitions. In this Agreement:

 

(a) Affiliate” means, in respect of the Company, a company or other entity which directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company. For the purposes of this definition, “control” means direct or indirect beneficial ownership of a greater than 50% interest in the income of such company or entity or such other relationship as, in fact, constitutes actual control.

 

 

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(b) Business” or “Business of the Company” means:

 

(i) researching, developing, commercializing, producing and marketing novel, cannabinoid-based therapies combined with innovative drug delivery systems; or

 

(ii) any other area in which the Company has an active research and development program on the date the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates and in connection with which the Executive directly provided service or had direct supervisory responsibilities.

 

(c) Confidential Information” shall mean all information, knowledge, or data, whether in written, oral, electronic or other form, relating to the Business of the Company, whether or not conceived, originated, discovered or developed in whole or in part by the Executive, that is not generally known to the public or to other persons who are not bound by obligations of confidentiality and:

 

(i) from which the Company or its Affiliates derive economic value, actual or potential, from the information not being generally known; or

 

(ii) in respect of which the Company or its Affiliates otherwise have a legitimate interest in maintaining secrecy;

 

and which, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall include:

 

(iii) all proprietary information licensed to, acquired, used or developed by the Company and its Affiliates in its research and development activities (including but not restricted to the research and development of RNA interference drugs and delivery technology), other scientific strategies and concepts, designs, know-how, information, material, formulas, processes, research data and proprietary rights in the nature of copyrights, patents, trademarks, licenses and industrial designs;

 

(iv) all information relating to the Business of the Company, and to all other aspects of the structure, personnel and operations of the Company and its Affiliates, including financial, clinical, regulatory, marketing, advertising and commercial information and strategies, customer lists, compilations, agreements and contractual records and correspondence; programs, devices, concepts, inventions, designs, methods, processes, data, know-how, unique combinations of separate items that is not generally known and items provided or disclosed to the Company or its Affiliates by third parties subject to restrictions on use or disclosure;

 

(v) all know-how relating to the Business of the Company, including all biological, chemical, pharmacological, toxicological, pharmaceutical, physical and analytical, clinical, safety, manufacturing and quality control data and information, and all applications, registrations, licenses,

 

 

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    authorizations, approvals and correspondence submitted to regulatory authorities;

 

(vi) all information relating to the businesses of competitors of the Company or its Affiliates, including information relating to competitors’ research and development, intellectual property, operations, financial, clinical, regulatory, marketing, advertising and commercial strategies, that is not generally known;

 

(vii) all information provided to the Company or its Affiliates by their agents, consultants, lawyers, contractors, licensors or licensees and relating to the Business of the Company; and

 

(viii) all information relating to the Executive’s compensation and benefits, including her salary, vacation, stock options, perquisites, severance notice, rights on termination and all other compensation and benefits, except that she shall be entitled to disclose such information to her bankers, advisors, agents, consultants and other third parties who have a duty of confidence to the Executive and who have a need to know such information in order to provide advice, products or services to him.

 

All Work Product shall be deemed to be the Company’s Confidential Information.

 

(d) Intellectual Property” is used in its broadest sense and means and includes any statutory, common law, equitable, contractual or proprietary rights or interests, recognized currently or in future, in and to any Inventions, including, without limitation, rights and interests in and to the following:

 

(i) knowledge, know-how and its embodiments, including trade secret information;

 

(ii) patents in inventions, and all applications therefor;

 

(iii) copyrights in artistic, literary, dramatic, musical, and neighbouring works, copyrightable works of authorship including technical descriptions for products, user guides, illustrations, advertising materials, computer programs, source code and object code, and all applications therefor;

 

(iv) trademarks, service marks, tradenames, business names and domain names and all applications therefor;

 

(v) industrial designs and all other industrial or intellectual property and all applications therefor; and

 

(vi) all goodwill connected with the foregoing.

 

(e) Inventions” shall mean any and all inventions, discoveries, developments, enhancements, improvements, concepts, formulas, designs, processes, ideas,

 

 

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    writings and other works, whether or not reduced to practice, and whether or not protectable under patent, copyright, trade secret or similar laws.

 

(f) Work Product” shall mean any and all Inventions and possible Inventions relating to the Business of the Company and which the Executive may make or conceive, alone or jointly with others, during her involvement in any capacity with the Company, whether during or outside her regular working hours, except those Inventions made or conceived by the Executive entirely on her own time that do not relate to the Business of the Company and do not derive from any equipment, supplies, facilities, Confidential Information or other information, gained, directly or indirectly, from or through her involvement in any capacity with the Company.

 

2. CONFIDENTIALITY

 

2.1                         Prior Business Confidential Information. The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that the Executive has not brought or used, and the Executive covenants and agrees that the Executive will not use or bring to the Company any confidential information of any kind whatsoever of any prior party (the “Prior Business”) with whom the Executive was previously involved, whether such involvement was as an employee, director or officer of that Prior Business, an investor in that Prior Business, a partner in that Prior Business, a consultant to that Prior Business or other relationship to that Prior Business (the “Prior Involvement”). The Company and the Executive acknowledge and agree that the Company is not employing the Executive to obtain confidential information relating to any Prior Involvement and the Executive acknowledges that the Company has advised the Executive to comply with any and all legal obligations the Executive may have to such Prior Business. The Executive covenants and agrees to hold the Company harmless from any and all claims and damages of any kind whatsoever that the Company may suffer as a result of any breach by the Executive of her obligations to such Prior Business in that regard.

 

2.2                        Basic Obligation of Confidentiality. The Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that in the course of her involvement with the Company, the Company may disclose to her or she may otherwise have access or be exposed to Confidential Information. The Company hereby agrees to provide such access to the Executive and the Executive hereby agrees to receive and hold all Confidential Information on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement. Except as otherwise set out in this Agreement, the Executive will keep strictly confidential all Confidential Information and all other information belonging to the Company that she acquires, observes or is informed of, directly or indirectly, in connection with her involvement, in any capacity, with the Company both during and after the term of her employment in any capacity with the Company.

 

2.3                        Fiduciary Capacity. The Executive will be and act toward the Company and its Affiliates as a fiduciary in respect of the Confidential Information.

 

2.4                        Non-disclosure. Except with the prior written consent of the Company, the Executive will not at any time, either during or after she involvement in any capacity with the Company;

 

 

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(a) use or copy any Confidential Information or recollections thereof for any purpose other than the performance of her duties for the benefit of the Company and its Affiliates;

 

(b) publish or disclose any Confidential Information or recollections thereof to any person other than to employees of the Company and its Affiliates who have a need to know such Confidential Information in the performance of their duties for the Company or its Affiliates;

 

(c) permit or cause any Confidential Information to be used, copied, published, disclosed, translated or adapted except as otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement; or

 

(d) permit or cause any Confidential Information to be stored off the premises of the Company, including permitting or causing such Confidential Information to be stored in electronic format on personal computers, except in accordance with written procedures of the Company, as amended from time to time in writing.

 

2.5                         Taking Precautions. The Executive will take all reasonable precautions necessary or prudent to prevent material in her possession or control that contains or refers to Confidential Information from being discovered, used or copied by third parties.

 

2.6                        The Company’s Ownership of Confidential Information. As between the Executive and the Company, the Company shall own all right, title and interest in and to the Confidential Information, whether or not created or developed by the Executive.

 

2.7                         Control of Confidential Information and Return of Information. All physical materials produced or prepared by the Executive containing Confidential Information, including, without limitation, records, devices, computer files, data, notes, reports, proposals, lists, correspondence, specifications, drawings, plans, materials, accounts, reports, financial statements, estimates and all other materials prepared in the course of her responsibilities to or for the benefit of the Company or its Affiliates, together with all copies thereof (in whatever medium recorded), shall belong to the Company, and the Executive will promptly turn over to the Company’s possession every original and copy of any and all such items in her possession or control upon request by the Company. If the material is such that it cannot reasonably be delivered, upon request from the Company, the Executive will provide reasonable evidence that such materials have been destroyed, purged or erased.

 

2.8                        Purpose of Use. The Executive agrees that she will use Confidential Information only for purposes authorized or directed by the Company.

 

2.9                        Exemptions. The obligations of confidentiality set out in this Article 2 will not apply to any of the following:

 

(a) information that is already known to the Executive, though not due to a prior disclosure by the Company or its Affiliates or by a person who obtained knowledge of the information, directly or indirectly, from the Company or its Affiliates;

 

 

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(b) information disclosed to the Executive by another person who is not obliged to maintain the confidentiality of that information and who did not obtain knowledge of the information, directly or indirectly, from the Company or its Affiliates;

 

(c) information that is developed by the Executive independently of Confidential Information received from the Company or its Affiliates and such independent development can be documented by the Executive;

 

(d) other particular information or material which the Company expressly exempts by written instrument signed by the Company;

 

(e) information or material that is in the public domain through no fault of the Executive; and

 

(f) information required by operation of law, court order or government agency to be disclosed, provided that:

 

(i) in the event that the Executive is required to disclose such information or material, upon becoming aware of the obligation to disclose, the Executive will provide to the Company prompt written notice so that the Company may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance with the provisions of this Agreement;

 

(ii) if the Company agrees that the disclosure is required by law, it will give the Executive written authorization to disclose the information for the required purposes only;

 

(iii) if the Company does not agree that the disclosure is required by law, this Agreement will continue to apply, except to the extent that a Court of competent jurisdiction orders otherwise; and

 

(iv) if a protective order or other remedy is not obtained or if compliance with this Agreement is waived, the Executive will furnish only that portion of the Confidential Information that is legally required and will exercise all reasonable efforts to obtain confidential treatment of such Confidential Information.

 

3. ASSIGNMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

 

3.1                         Notice of Invention. The Executive agrees to promptly and fully inform the Company of all Work Product, whether or not patentable, throughout the course of her involvement, in any capacity, with the Company and from which there is a reasonable basis to believe that Intellectual Property may be derived therefrom, whether or not developed before or after execution of this Agreement. On her ceasing to be employed by the Company for any reason whatsoever, the Executive will immediately deliver up to the Company all Work Product.

 

3.2                        Assignment of Rights. Subject only to the exceptions set out in Attachment 1 attached to this Agreement, the Executive will assign, and does hereby assign, to the Company or,

 

 

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at the option of the Company and upon notice from the Company, to the Company’s designee, all of her right, title and interest in and to all Work Product, including all Intellectual Property rights therein. To the extent that the Executive retains or acquires legal title to any such Intellectual Property rights and interests, the Executive hereby declares and confirms that such legal title is and will be held by the Executive only as trustee and agent for the Company or the Company’s designee. The Executive agrees that the Company’s rights hereunder shall attach to all Intellectual Property rights in her Work Product, notwithstanding that it may be perfected or reduced to specific form after she has terminated her relationship with the Company. The Executive further agrees that the Company’s rights hereunder are worldwide rights and are not limited to Canada, but shall extend to every country of the world.

 

3.3                        Moral Rights. Without limiting the foregoing, the Executive hereby irrevocably waives any and all moral rights arising under the Copyright Act (Canada), as amended, or any successor legislation of similar force and effect or similar legislation in other applicable jurisdictions or at common law that she may have with respect to all Work Product, and agrees never to assert any moral rights which she may have in the Work Product, including, without limitation, the right to the integrity of the Work Product, the right to be associated with the Work Product, the right to restrain or claim damages for any distortion, mutilation or other modification or enhancement of the Work Product and the right to restrain the use or reproduction of the Work Product in any context and in connection with any product, service, cause or institution, and the Executive further confirms that the Company may use or alter any Work Product as the Company sees fits in its absolute discretion.

 

3.4                         Goodwill. The Executive hereby agrees that all goodwill she has established or may establish with clients, customers, suppliers, principals, shareholders, investors, collaborators, strategic partners, licensees, contacts or prospects of the Company relating to the Business of the Company (or of its partners, subsidiaries or affiliates), both before and after the Effective Date, shall, as between the Executive and the Company, be and remain the property of the Company exclusively, for the Company to use, alter, vary, adapt and exploit as the Company shall determine in its discretion.

 

3.5                          Assistance. The Executive hereby agrees to reasonably assist the Company, at the Company’s request and expense, in:

 

(a) making patent applications for all Work Product, including instructions to lawyers and/or patent agents as to the characteristics of the Work Product in sufficient detail to enable the preparation of a suitable patent specification, to execute all formal documentation incidental to an application for letters patent and to execute assignment documents in favour of the Company for such applications;

 

(b) making applications for all other forms of Intellectual Property registration relating to all Work Product;

 

(c) prosecuting and maintaining the patent applications and other Intellectual Property relating to all Work Product; and

 

 

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(d) registering, maintaining and enforcing the patents and other Intellectual Property registrations relating to all Work Product.

 

If the Company is unable for any reason to secure the Executive’s signature with respect to any Work Product including, without limitation, to apply for or to pursue any application for any patents or copyright registrations covering such Work Product, then the Executive hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as her agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and in her behalf and stead to execute and file any papers, oaths and to do all other lawfully permitted acts with respect to such Work Product with the same legal force and effect as if executed by him.

 

3.6                        Assistance with Proceedings. The Executive further agrees to reasonably assist the Company, at the Company’s request and expense, in connection with any defence to an allegation of infringement of another person’s intellectual property rights, claim of invalidity of another person’s intellectual property rights, opposition to, or intervention regarding, an application for letters patent, copyright or trademark or other proceedings relating to Intellectual Property or applications for registration thereof.

 

3.7                        Commercialization. The Executive understands that the decision whether or not to commercialize or market any Work Product is within the Company’s sole discretion and for the Company’s sole benefit and that no royalty or other consideration will be due or payable to him as a result of the Company’s efforts to commercialize or market any such Work Product.

 

3.8                        Prior Business Intellectual Property. The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that she has not brought or used, and the Executive covenants and agrees that she will not use or bring to the Company any Intellectual Property of any kind whatsoever of any Prior Business with whom the Executive had a Prior Involvement or any Intellectual Property directly owned by the Executive. The Company and the Executive acknowledge and agree that the Company is not employing the Executive to obtain Intellectual Property relating to any Prior Involvement and the Executive acknowledges that the Company has advised the Executive to comply with any legal obligations the Executive may have to such Prior Business. The Executive covenants and agrees to hold the Company harmless from any and all claims and damages of any kind whatsoever that the Company may suffer as a result any breach by the Executive of her obligations to such Prior Business in that regard.

 

3.9                        Prior Inventions. In order to have them excluded from this Agreement, the Executive has set forth on Attachment 1 attached to this Agreement a complete list of all Inventions for which a patent application has not yet been filed that she has, alone or jointly with others, conceived, developed or reduced to practice prior to the execution of this Agreement to which she has any right, title or interest, and which relate to the Business of the Company. If such list is blank or no such list is attached, the Executive represents and warrants that there are no such prior Inventions.

 

 

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4. General

 

4.1                        Term. Subject to Section 4.10, the term of this Agreement is from the Effective Date and terminates on the date that the Executive is no longer working at or for the Company in any capacity.

 

4.2                        No Conflicting Obligations. The Executive hereby represents and warrants that she has no agreements with or obligations to any other person with respect to the matters covered by this Agreement or concerning the Confidential Information that are in conflict with anything in this Agreement, except as disclosed in Attachment 1 attached to this Agreement.

 

4.3                        Publicity. The Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, make or give any public announcements, press releases or statements to the public or the press regarding any Work Product or any Confidential Information.

 

4.4                        Further Assurances. The parties will execute and deliver to each other such further instruments and assurances and do such further acts as may be required to give effect to this Agreement.

 

4.5                        Notices. All notices and other communications that are required or permitted by this Agreement must be in writing and shall be hand delivered or sent by express delivery service or certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, or by facsimile transmission (with receipt confirmed in writing) to the parties at the addresses on page 1 of this Agreement. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been received on the earlier of the date actually received or the date five (5) days after the same was posted or sent. Either party may change its address or its facsimile number by giving the other party written notice, delivered in accordance with this section.

 

4.6                        Equitable Remedies. The Executive understands and acknowledges that if she breaches any of her obligations under this Agreement, that breach may give rise to irreparable injury to the Company for which damages are an inadequate remedy. In the event of any such breach by the Executive, in addition to all other remedies available to the Company at law or in equity, the Company will be entitled as a matter of right to apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for such relief by way of restraining order, injunction, decree or otherwise, as may be appropriate to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

4.7                        Non-Waiver. Failure on the part of either party to complain of any act or failure to act of the other of them or to declare the other party in default of this Agreement, irrespective of how long such failure continues, will not constitute a waiver by such party of their rights hereunder or of the right to then or subsequently declare a default.

 

4.8                        Severability. In the event that any provision or part of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable in whole or in part, the remaining provisions, or parts thereof, will be and remain in full force and effect.

 

4.9                        Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all agreements, understandings, warranties or representations of any kind, written or oral, express or implied, including any relating to the nature of the position or its duration, and each of the parties releases

 

 

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and forever discharges the other of and from all manner of actions, causes of action, claim or demands whatsoever under or in respect of any agreement.

 

4.10                      Survival. Notwithstanding the expiration or early termination of this Agreement, the provisions of Article 1, Article 2 (including the obligations of confidentiality and to return Confidential Information, which shall endure, with respect to each item of Confidential Information, for so long as those items fall within the definition of Confidential Information), Sections 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 and 3.8 and Article 4 shall survive any expiration or early termination of this Agreement.

 

4.11                      Modification of Agreement. Any modification of this Agreement must be in writing and signed by both the Company and the Executive or it will have no effect and will be void.

 

4.12                      Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed according to the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada.

 

4.13                      Independent Legal Advice. The Executive agrees that she has obtained or has had an opportunity to obtain independent legal advice in connection with this Agreement, and further acknowledge that she has read, understands, and agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions contained herein.

 

REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date and year first above written.

 


SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED by Alexandra DJ Mancini in the presence of:

)

)

)

)


 
Witness Signature

)

)

Alexandra DJ Mancini, MSc
Witness Name

)

)

 
Witness Address

 
 

 
Witness Occupation )  

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

 

Per:    
  Eric A. Adams  
  President and CEO  

 

 

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Attachment 1
to Confidentiality and Assignment of Inventions Agreement

 

EXCLUSIONS FROM WORK PRODUCT

 

NIL

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

GENERAL RELEASE LANGUAGE

 

The Executive agrees, for and in consideration of the terms set out in the letter to which this release is attached, and other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which I hereby acknowledge) agrees for herself , her spouse, heirs, executor or administrator, assigns, insurers, attorneys, and other persons or entities acting or purporting to act on her behalf (the “Executive’s Parties”), to irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit, and forever discharge the Company, its affiliates, subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, agents, representatives, predecessors, successors, assigns, insurers, attorneys, benefit plans sponsored by the Company, and said plans’ fiduciaries, agents and trustees (the “Company’s Parties”), from any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims, obligations, liabilities, debts, demands, contentions, damages, judgments, levies, and executions of any kind, whether in law or in equity, known or unknown, which the Executive’s Parties have, have had, or may in the future claim to have against the Company’s Parties by reason of, arising out of, related to, or resulting from the Executive’s employment with the Company or the termination of that employment. This release specifically includes without limitation any claims arising in tort or contract, any claim based on wrongful discharge, any claim based on breach of contract, any claim arising under federal, state or local law prohibiting race, sex, age, religion, national origin, handicap, disability, or other forms of discrimination, any claim arising under federal, state, or local law concerning employment practices, and any claim relating to compensation or benefits. It is understood and agreed that the waiver of benefits and claims contained in this section does not include a waiver of the right to payment of any vested, non-forfeitable benefits to which the Executive or a beneficiary of the Executive may be entitled under the terms and provisions of any employee benefit plan of the company which have accrued as of the Date of Termination, and does not include a waiver of the right to benefits and payment of consideration to which the Executive may be entitled under this Agreement or any of the agreements contemplated by this Agreement (including the indemnification agreement and the stock option agreement). The Executive acknowledges that she is entitled to only the severance benefits and compensation set forth in this Agreement, and that all other claims for any other benefits or compensation are hereby waived, except those expressly stated in the preceding sentence.

 

The Executive hereby acknowledges her understanding that under this Agreement she is releasing any known or unknown claims she may have.

 

The Executive expressly waives and relinquishes all rights and benefits under that section and any law of any jurisdiction of similar effect with respect to her release of claims.

 

The Executive expressly acknowledged that she has had the opportunity to obtain independent legal advice with respect to the contents, terms and effect of the agreement between myself and the Company including this release and that she fully understands its content. The consideration described aforesaid is accepted voluntarily for the purpose of making a full, final and irrevocable settlement of all claims described above and The Executive signs this release on her own free will.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

EXISTING CONFLICTS

 

NIL

 

 

Exhibit 10.6

 

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT made this 20th day of September, 2018 (the “Effective Date”)

 

BETWEEN:

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC., a company incorporated
under the laws of British Columbia (the “Company”), with offices at Suite 340, 200 Granville St, Vancouver, B.C.,V6C 1S4

 

AND:

 

Michael Woudenberg (the “Executive”), of 636 Fairway Drive, North Vancouver, BC V7G 1L6

 

WHEREAS:

 

A.       The Company is a preclinical stage biopharmaceutical company that specializes in developing therapies through the research and development of novel, cannabinoid-based therapies combined with innovative drug delivery systems;

 

B.       The Executive has the expertise, qualifications and required certifications to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; and

 

C.       The Company wishes to employ the Executive to perform the services, on the terms and conditions herein set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged.

 

NOW THISEFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. EMPLOYMENT

 

(a) The Executive will be employed by and will serve the Company as its Vice President (“VP”) of Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control (“CMC”) and will have powers and duties consistent with such position as may from time to time be prescribed by the CEO and Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), as outlined in Exhibit A. The Executive will report directly to the CEO and will comply with all lawful instructions given by the CEO.

 

 

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(b) The terms and conditions of this Agreement will have effect as and from the Effective Date and the Executive’s employment as VP will continue until terminated as provided for in this Agreement.

 

(c) The Executive acknowledges and agrees that in addition to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Executive’s employment with the Company is subject to and governed by the Company’s policies as established from time to time. The Executive agrees to comply with the terms of such policies so long as they are not inconsistent with any provisions of the Agreement. The Executive will inform himself of the details of such policies and amendments thereto established from time to time.

 

(d) The Executive will devote himself on an exclusive, full-time basis to the Company’s business. The Executive may manage his personal investments or engage in charitable or other community activities as long as those services and activities do not interfere with the Executive’s performance of his duties to the Company. Active employment is scheduled to begin
1 November 2018 (the “Effective Date of Employment”).

 

(e) Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and in consideration of the Executive’s employment by the Company, the Executive and the Company will enter into a “Confidentiality and Assignment of Inventions Agreement” in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

 

2. REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

 

(a) Base Salary.

 

(i) In consideration of full-time status, the Company will pay the Executive an annual salary, per annum, of C$270,000, less required deductions (the “Base Salary”).

 

(ii) The Base Salary will be payable semi-monthly, in arrears. The Executive’s Base Salary will be reviewed annually by the Board and the compensation committee of the Company in accordance with the Company’s annual performance and compensation review process, including consideration of the Company’s market capitalization and financial stability, and is subject to increase but not decrease, except for an across-the-board salary reduction affecting all or substantially all senior executives of the Company, nor will it necessarily result in an increase to the Base Salary. The base salary in effect at any given time is referred to as “Base Salary” and this Agreement need not be modified to reflect a change in Base Salary. The Base Salary is subject to withholding and payable in a manner that is consistent with the Company’s usual payroll practices for senior executives.

 

 

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(b) Bonus. The Executive is eligible to be considered for an annual discretionary bonus which will be subject to the approval of the Board and the compensation committee of the Company, in their sole discretion, on an annual basis in accordance with the Company’s annual performance and compensation review process, including consideration of the Company’s market capitalization and financial stability. Payment of a bonus in any one year will not indicate the payment of a bonus in any other year. Target bonus is equal to 30% of Base Salary, pro-rated in the first year. Within the initial 3 months of employment, the Executive and CEO will establish a set of goals against which the bonus is to be measured for the first pro-rated year of employment.

 

(c) Stock Options. The Executive’s allotment of stock options in the capital of the Company shall be 700,000 stock options (the “Options”) pursuant to the Company’s Incentive Stock Option Plan (the “Stock Option Plan”). The Options shall be priced at Market price in accordance with and subject to the Option policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Company’s Insider Trading Guidelines and the blackout provisions therein. The Options issued in conjunction with this new Agreement will vest as follows:

 

Type of Option Total Number of Options Vesting Number Vesting Date
Newly issued options with this Agreement

700,000

 

175,000 6 months after Effective Date of Employment
175,000 12 months after Effective Date of Employment
175,000 18 months after Effective Date of Employment
175,000 24 months after Effective Date of Employment

 

(d) The Options will cease to vest on the Date of Termination of this Agreement (as defined in Section 5(g)). The terms and conditions relating to the Options will be subject to the Option Agreement that is entered into concurrently with this Agreement, as well as the Stock Option Plan. If there is any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Stock Option

 

 

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    Plan, the terms of the Stock Option Plan will govern. If there is any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Option Agreement, the terms of this Agreement will govern to the extent of the conflict.

 

(e) Expenses. The Company will reimburse the Executive for all reasonable expenses actually and properly incurred by the Executive in performing services under this Agreement, in accordance with the policies and procedures then in effect and established by the Company for its senior executives. The Executive will provide the Company with receipts supporting the Executive’s claims for reimbursement.

 

(f) Other Benefits. The Company will facilitate the Executive’s enrolment in the Company’s insurance benefits plans, if any, as may be amended from time to time by the Company or the Company’s insurance carrier; or, at the Executive’s election and with Company approval, the Company will reimburse the Executive expenses associated with a private insurance plan under which the Executive and his family are currently covered. In all cases, eligibility to participate in the plans and to receive benefits under the plans will be subject to the terms and requirements of the applicable insurance carrier in accordance with the formal benefits plan documents and policies. Any issues with respect to entitlement to or payment of benefits under the benefits package will be governed by the terms of such documents and policies. The Company will not be responsible for the payment of benefits in any circumstance. Further, the Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend, change or terminate any of the insurance benefit plans or providers.

 

(g) Vacation. The Executive is entitled to paid holidays and vacation days each year, in an amount determined in accordance with and subject to the Company’s applicable policies in effect, and as may be amended from time to time. The Executive will be entitled to 30 days of vacation per calendar year, which will be pro-rated for any year in which the Executive is only employed with the Company for a portion of the year or for any period in which the Executive is not a full-time employee. Vacation days will be scheduled at times that are mutually acceptable to the Executive and the Company. Carry-over of vacation days will be according to Company policy, and any accrued but unused vacation days will be paid out upon termination.

 

3. NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION

 

(a) The biotechnology industry is highly competitive and employees leaving the employ of the Company have the ability to cause significant damage to the Company’s interests if they join a competing business immediately upon leaving the Company.

 

 

- 5 -

 

(b) Definitions:

 

(i) Business” or “Business of the Company” means:

 

(A) researching, developing, commercializing, producing and marketing novel, cannabinoid-based therapies combined with innovative drug delivery systems; or

 

(ii) Competing Business” means any endeavor, activity or business which is competitive in any material way with the Business of the Company worldwide.

 

(iii) Contact” means any person, firm, corporation or other entity that was a client, customer, supplier, principal, shareholder, investor, collaborator, strategic partner, licensee, contact or prospect of the Company (or of its partners or funders) with whom the Executive dealt or otherwise became aware of during the term of the Executive’s employment in any capacity with the Company.

 

(iv) Restricted Period” means a period of 12 months.

 

(c) Reasonableness. The Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that:

 

(i) both before and since the commencement of the Executive’s employment by the Company, the Company has operated and competed and will operate and compete worldwide, with respect to the Business of the Company;

 

(ii) competitors of the Company and the Business are located worldwide;

 

(iii) in order to protect the Company adequately, any enjoinder of competition would have to apply to any country in which the Company, during the term of the Executive’s employment, had material business relationships;

 

(iv) during the course of the Executive’s employment with the Company, on behalf of the Company, the Executive will acquire knowledge of, and will come into contact with, initiate and establish relationships with, both existing and new clients, customers, suppliers, principals, contacts and prospects of the Company, and that in some circumstances the Executive may become the senior or sole representative of the Company dealing with such persons; and

 

(v) in light of the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 3 are reasonable and necessary for the proper protection of the Business of the Company.

 

(d) Restrictive Covenant. Except as set forth on Exhibit D attached hereto, during the term of the Executive’s employment and for the Restricted Period after the termination thereof, the Executive shall not, without the prior

 

 

- 6 -

 

    written consent of the Board, such consent to be granted or withheld in the Board’s sole discretion, within the geographic scope of any country in which the Company, during the term of the Executive’s employment, had material business relationships, carry on or be employed by or engaged in or have any financial or other interest in or be otherwise commercially involved in a Competing Business, directly or indirectly, either individually or in partnership or jointly or in conjunction with any person, firm, corporation or other entity, as principal, agent, consultant, advisor, employee, shareholder or in any manner whatsoever.

 

(e) Exception. The Executive shall not be in default of Section 3(d) by virtue of the Executive:

 

(i) following the termination of employment, holding, strictly for portfolio purposes and as a passive investor, no more than five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding shares of, or any other interest in, any corporation or other entity which is listed on any recognized stock exchange, that is a Competing Business; or

 

(ii) during the term of the Executive’s employment, holding, strictly for portfolio purposes and as a passive investor, issued and outstanding shares of, or any other interest in, any corporation or other entity, the business of which corporation or other entity is in the same Business as the Company provided such corporation is not a Competing Business, and provided further that the Executive first obtains the Company’s written consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

If the Executive holds issued and outstanding shares or any other interest in a corporation or other entity pursuant to Section 3(e)(ii) above, and following the acquisition of such shares or other interest the business of the corporation or other entity becomes a Competing Business, the Executive will promptly dispose of the Executive’s shares or other interest in such corporation or other entity.

 

(f) Non-Solicitation. The Executive shall not, during the term of the Executive’s employment and for the Restricted Period after the termination thereof for any reason, whether legal or illegal, either individually or in partnership or jointly or in conjunction with any person, firm, corporation or other entity, as principal, agent, consultant, advisor, employee, shareholder or in any manner whatsoever, without the prior written and informed consent of the Company, directly or indirectly:

 

(i) canvass or solicit the business of (or procure or assist the canvassing or soliciting of the business of) any Contact, or otherwise solicit, induce or encourage any Contact to curtail or cease its relationship with the Company, for any purpose which is competitive with the Business; or

 

 

- 7 -

 

(ii) accept (or procure or assist the acceptance of) any business from any Contact which business is competitive with the Business; or

 

(iii) be employed by or supply (or procure or assist the supply of) any goods or services to any Contact for any purpose which is competitive with the Business; or

 

(iv) employ, engage, offer employment or engagement to or solicit the employment or engagement of or otherwise entice away from or solicit, induce or encourage to leave the employment or engagement of the Company, any individual who is employed or engaged by the Company whether or not such individual would commit any breach of the Executive’s contract or terms of employment or engagement by leaving the employ or the engagement of the Company, provided that the Executive shall be permitted, solely in a personal capacity, to provide letters of reference for individuals who are employed by the Company.

 

(g) Validity. The Executive expressly recognizes and acknowledges that it is the intent of the parties that the Executive’s activities following the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company be restricted in the manner described in this Section 3, and acknowledges that good, valuable, and sufficient consideration has been provided in exchange for such restrictions. The Executive agrees that should any of the restrictions contained in this Section 3 be found to be unreasonable to any extent by a court of competent jurisdiction adjudicating upon the validity of the restriction, whether as to the scope of the restriction, the area of the restriction or the duration of the restriction, then such restriction shall be reduced to that which is in fact declared reasonable by such court, or a subsequent court of competent jurisdiction, requested to make such a declaration, in order to ensure that the intention of the parties is given the greatest possible effect.

 

4. INJUNCTIVE RELIEF

 

(a) The Executive understands and agrees that the Company has a material interest in preserving the relationships it has developed with its executives, customers and suppliers against impairment by competitive activities of a former executive. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that the restrictions and covenants contained in Section 3 are reasonably required for the protection of the Company and its goodwill and that the Executive’s agreement to those restrictions and covenants by the execution of this Agreement, are of the essence to this Agreement and constitute a material inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement and to employ the Executive, and that the Company would not enter into this Agreement absent such an inducement.

 

 

- 8 -

 

(b) The Executive understands and acknowledges that if the Executive breaches Section 3, that breach will give rise to irreparable injury to the Company for which damages are an inadequate remedy, and the Company may pursue injunctive relief for such breach in a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

5. TERMINATION

 

The Executive’s employment by the Company may be terminated under the following circumstances:

 

(a) Death. The Executive’s employment hereunder will terminate upon the Executive’s death.

 

(b) Disability. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment if the Executive is disabled (as determined by the Chief Executive Officer) in a manner that renders the Executive unable to perform the essential functions of the Executive’s then existing position or positions under this Agreement with or without reasonable accommodation for a period of six (6) months or more. Nothing in this Section 5(b) will be construed to waive the Executive’s rights, if any, under the Company’s insurance benefits plans accruing prior to termination or under applicable law.

 

(c) Termination by Company for Cause.

 

The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment For Cause at any time, without notice or payment in lieu thereof. The payment by the Company of the Executive’s Accrued Benefits shall be subject to any other rights or remedies of the Company under law and thereafter all obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall cease.

 

(i) For the purposes of this Agreement, “For Cause” shall mean:

 

(A) the Executive is convicted of a crime involving dishonesty, breach of trust, or physical harm to any person (excluding driving while affected by drugs or alcohol) or any violation of provincial or federal securities laws;

 

(B) the Executive willfully engages in conduct that is in bad faith and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise, including but not limited to, misappropriation of trade secrets, fraud or embezzlement;

 

(C) the Executive commits a material breach of this Agreement;

 

(D) the Executive willfully refuses to implement or follow a lawful policy or directive of the Company; or

 

 

- 9 -

 

(E) the Executive willfully and on a continuing basis fails to perform his duties hereunder diligently and professionally.

 

(d) Termination by the Company without Cause.

 

(i) The Company, in its sole discretion, may terminate the Executive’s employment under this Agreement without Cause at any time.

 

(ii) For the purposes of this Agreement, any termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement that does not constitute a termination “For Cause” under Section 5(c) and does not result from the death or disability of the Executive under Sections 5(a) or 5(b), respectively, shall be a termination “without Cause”.

 

(e) Resignation by Executive.

 

(i) The Executive may terminate his employment by providing to the Company Notice of Termination of his employment at least 60 days prior to the effective date of resignation. During such notice period Executive shall continue to diligently perform all of Executive’s duties hereunder, provided that the Company shall have the option, in its sole discretion, to waive such notice period, in whole or in part, and if it does so, the Executive’s resignation will become effective and the Executive’s employment will cease on the date set by the Company in the notice of waiver, and the Executive shall be entitled to his Accrued Benefits up to and including the Date of Termination (as defined in Section 5(g)(iii)). In the event the Company waives the Executive’s notice hereunder, the Company, in its sole discretion, in the circumstances, may pay the Base Salary portion of the Executive’s Accrued Benefits by way of one or more lump sum payments, by way of salary continuance or by a combination of both.

 

(ii) The Executive may terminate his employment for Good Reason within 12 months following a Change in Control of the Company in accordance with, and subject to, the process set out in Section 7(c).

 

(f) Notice of Termination. Except for termination as specified in Section 5(a), any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company or any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Executive must be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the other party. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Notice of Termination” means a written notice that indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement upon which the termination is based.

 

 

- 10 -

 

(g) Date of Termination. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Date of Termination” means:

 

(i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by his death, the date of his death;

 

(ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated on account of disability under Section 5(b) or by the Company for Cause under Section 5(c), or by the Company without Cause under Section 5(d) on the date the Notice of Termination is given;

 

(iii) if the Executive terminates his employment under Section 5(e)(i) without Good Reason, on the effective date of resignation specified by the Executive in the Notice of Termination (which shall be at least two (2) months after the date of the Notice of Termination) or, if no such date is specified or if the Company waives the notice period, the date that is 60 days after the date of the Notice of Termination; and

 

(iv) if the Executive terminates his employment under Section 5(e)(ii) for Good Reason following a Change in Control of the Company, the date on which a Notice of Termination.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive gives a Notice of Termination to the Company that takes effect at a future date, the Company may unilaterally accelerate the Date of Termination and that acceleration will not be deemed a termination by the Company for purposes of this Agreement.

 

6. COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION

 

(a) Termination Generally. If the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated for any reason, the Company shall pay or provide to the Executive (or to his authorized representative or estate) on or before the time required by law, but in no event more than 30 days after the Executive’s Date of Termination:

 

(i) unpaid expense reimbursements;

 

(ii) accrued but unused vacation to the extent payment is required by law or Company policy;

 

(iii) any vested benefits the Executive may have under any employee benefit plan of the Company;

 

(iv) any earned but unpaid Base Salary; and

 

(v) any earned but unpaid annual bonus for the prior fiscal year;

 

for service up to and including the Date of Termination (collectively the “Accrued

 

 

- 11 -

 

Benefits”). The Executive shall not be entitled to any other salary, compensation, bonus (or pro rata share thereof) or benefits from the Company thereafter, except as otherwise specifically provided hereunder, under the Company’s employee benefit plans or as expressly required by applicable law.

 

(b) Termination by the Company without Cause. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause, then the Company shall pay the Executive his Accrued Benefits as of the Date of Termination. In addition, subject to Section 7 and the Executive providing the Company with a general release of claims in a form and manner that includes but is not limited to the terms set forth in the attached Exhibit C (the “Release”) within the 60-day period following the Date of Termination, the Company shall pay the Executive an amount (the “Severance Amount”) calculated as follows:

 

(i) If terminated during the initial 24 months from the Effective Date of Employment, an amount equal to six (6) months’ Base Salary, less withholding;

 

(ii) If terminated any time after the initial 24 months from the Effective Date of Employment but prior to the 48 month anniversary of the Effective Date of Employment, an amount equal to eight (8) months’ Base Salary, less withholding;

 

(iii) If terminated any time after the 48 month anniversary of the Effective Date of Employment but prior to the 60 month anniversary, an amount equal to twelve (12) months’ Base Salary, less withholding;

 

(iv) If terminated any time after the 60 month anniversary of the Effective Date of Employment an amount equal to twelve (12) months’ Base Salary plus one month per year of employment beyond the initial 60 month period, less withholding;

 

(v) Additionally, in any event, a bonus payment equal to the average of the actual bonus payments, if any, made to the Executive from the previous three (3) calendar years preceding the Date of Termination, pro-rated for the then current calendar year up to and including the Date of Termination.

 

The Company shall pay the Severance Amount within 30 days after the Date of Termination, provided that if that 30-day period extends over two calendar years, the Company shall make the payment in the second calendar year, and further provided that the Company, in its sole discretion, in the circumstances, may pay the Severance Amount by way of one or more lump sum payments, by way of salary continuance or by a combination of both. The Severance Amount is inclusive of any entitlement to minimum standard severance under the British Columbia Employment Standards Act.

 

 

- 12 -

 

7. CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

(a) The provisions of this Section 7 set forth the Executive’s rights and obligations upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company. These provisions are intended to assure and encourage in advance the Executive’s continued attention and dedication to his assigned duties and his objectivity during the pendency and after the occurrence of any Change in Control. Where the provisions of this Section 7 apply, they shall supersede the payment of the Severance Amount under Section 6(b). The provisions of this Section 7 are subject to the Executive providing to the Company, and not revoking, a fully effective Release.

 

(b) Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(i) Change in Control” means the consummation of any of the following:

 

(A) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to an unrelated person or entity;

 

(B) a merger, reorganization, or consolidation involving the Company in which the shares of voting stock outstanding immediately prior to the transaction represent or are converted into or exchanged for securities of the surviving or resulting entity that, immediately upon completion of the transaction, represent less than 51% of the outstanding voting power of the surviving or resulting entity;

 

(C) the acquisition of all or a majority of the outstanding voting stock of the Company in a single transaction or a series of related transactions by a person or group of persons; or

 

(D) any other acquisition of the business of the Company, as determined by the Board;

 

but any public offering by the Company, or another capital raising event, or a merger effected solely to change the Company’s domicile does not constitute a Change in Control; and

 

(ii) Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events without the Executive’s prior written consent:

 

(A) a change in the Executive’s position which materially reduces the Executive’s responsibilities from the responsibilities in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control;

 

(B) a reduction by the Company of the Executive’s Base Salary

 

 

- 13 -

 

    or Target Bonus percentage, except for an across-the-board salary reduction affecting all senior executives of the Company; or

 

(C) a relocation of Executive’s principal place of employment by more than 30 kilometres.

 

(c) Change in Control Severance. If within 12 months following a Change in Control:

 

(i) the Company terminates the Executive’s employment with the Company without Cause; or

 

(ii) the Executive resigns from his employment with the Company for Good Reason;

 

then,

 

(iii) in addition to paying the Executive his Accrued Benefits and in lieu of paying the Executive the Severance Amount, the Company shall pay to the Executive an amount (the “Change in Control Severance Amount”) as follows:

 

(A) an amount equal to twelve (12) months’ Base Salary, less withholding; plus

 

(B) a bonus payment equal to the average of the actual bonus payments, if any, made to the Executive from the previous three (3) calendar years preceding the Date of Termination, pro-rated for the then current calendar year up to and including the Date of Termination.

 

The Company shall pay the Change in Control Severance Amount within 30 days after the Date of Termination, provided that if that 30-day period extends over two calendar years, the Company shall make the payment in the second calendar year, and further provided that the Company, in its sole discretion, in the circumstances, may pay the Change in Control Severance Amount by way of one or more lump sum payments, by way of salary continuance or by a combination of both. The Change in Control Severance Amount is inclusive of any entitlement to minimum standard severance under the British Columbia Employment Standards Act; and

 

(iv) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any applicable option agreement or stock-based award agreement, all stock options and other stock-based awards held by the Executive shall immediately accelerate, vest, and become fully exercisable or non-forfeitable as of the Date of Termination hereunder.

 

 

- 14 -

 

8. RETURN OF MATERIALS UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

 

The Executive will return to the Company all Company documents, files, manuals, books, software, equipment, keys, equipment, identification or credit cards, and all other property belonging to Company upon the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason.

 

9. GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

(a) Withholding. All payments made by the Company to the Executive under this Agreement will be net of any tax or other amounts required to be withheld by the Company under applicable law. Nothing in this Agreement is to be construed to obligate the Company to design or implement any compensation arrangement in a way that minimizes tax consequences for the Executive.

 

(b) Successor to Company. The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no succession had taken place. Failure of the Company to obtain an assumption of this Agreement at or prior to the effectiveness of any succession is a material breach of this Agreement.

 

(c) Successor to the Executive. This Agreement inures to the benefit of and is enforceable by the Executive’s personal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, devisees, and legatees. If the Executive dies after his termination of employment but prior to the completion by the Company of all payments due him under this Agreement, the Company shall continue the payments to the Executive’s beneficiary designated in writing to the Company prior to his death (or to his estate, if the Executive fails to make such a designation).

 

(d) Non-Waiver. Failure on the part of either party to complain of any act or failure to act of the other of them or to declare the other party in default of this Agreement, irrespective of how long such failure continues, will not constitute a waiver by such party of their rights hereunder or of the right to then or subsequently declare a default.

 

(e) Severability. In the event that any provision or part of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable in whole or in part, the remaining provisions, or parts thereof, will be and remain in full force and effect.

 

(f) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the employment of the Executive and supersedes any and all agreements, understandings, warranties or

 

 

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    representations of any kind, written or oral, express or implied, including any relating to the nature of the position or its duration, and each of the parties releases and forever discharges the other of and from all manner of actions, causes of action, claim or demands whatsoever under or in respect of any agreement.

 

(g) Survival. The provisions of this Agreement survive the termination of this Agreement and/or the termination of the Executive’s employment to the extent necessary to effectuate the intent of the Parties as expressed in this Agreement.

 

(h) Modification of Agreement. Any modification of this Agreement must be in writing and signed by both the Company and the Executive or it will have no effect and will be void.

 

(i) Disputes. Except for disputes arising in respect of Section 3, all disputes arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and the employment relationship between the parties, but for greater certainty not including disputes that may arise out of or in connection with the Confidentiality and Assignment of Inventions Agreement, are to be referred to and finally resolved by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Domestic Commercial Rules of Procedure of the British Columbia International Commercial Arbitration Centre. The place of arbitration will be Vancouver, British Columbia.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed according to the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada.

 

(k) Notices. Any notices, requests, demands, and other communications provided for by this Agreement are sufficient if in writing and delivered in person or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Executive at the last address the Executive has filed in writing with the Company or, in the case of the Company, at its main offices, attention to the Corporate Secretary.

 

(l) Independent Legal Advice. The Executive agrees that he has obtained or has had an opportunity to obtain independent legal advice in connection with this Agreement, and further acknowledge that he has read, understands, and agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions contained herein. The Executive further agrees that the consideration described aforesaid is accepted voluntarily for the purpose of employment with the Company under the terms and conditions described above.

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and by each party on separate counterparts, each of which counterparts, when so executed and delivered is to be taken to be an original; but those counterparts together constitute one and the same

 

 

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    document. PDF, facsimile, scanned, and electronic signatures have the same legal effect as original ink signatures.

 

REMAINER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date and year first above written.

 

  )  
SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED )  
by Michael Woudenberg in the presence )  
of: )  
  )  
     
  ) Michael Woudenberg
Witness )  
  )  
Address )  
  )  
  )  
  )  
Occupation )  

 

     
INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
     
     
Per:    
  Eric A. Adams  
  President and CEO  

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

 

 

Vice President, CMC

 

Overview

 

InMed is a pre-clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that specializes in developing novel therapies through the research and development into the extensive pharmacology of cannabinoids coupled with innovative drug delivery systems. InMed’s proprietary bioinformatics database drug/disease targeting tool, cannabinoid biosynthesis technology and drug development pipeline are the fundamental value drivers of the Company. For more information, visit www.inmedpharma.com.

 

At InMed, we value innovation, integrity, teamwork, and mutual respect in our employees. We want to hear from you if you are interested in making a difference in the lives of patients.

 

Role Summary

 

The Vice President, CMC is accountable for strategy and operational excellence related to InMed’s drug supplies (APIs and drug products) and formulation development in support of all preclinical and clinical programs.

 

This individual must have a “take charge” attitude and enjoy a hands-on role, a solid track record of dealing with external manufacturing, and deep underlying technical skills in small molecule products. They must have excellent complex problem-solving abilities, outstanding communication skills, and the ability to apply creative solutions to solve complex issues.

 

As a member of the leadership team, the position reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer. 

 

Duties and Responsibilities

 

Oversees all CMC operations with significant hands-on input

Oversees the manufacturing of all active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) at Contract Research and Manufacturing Organizations (CRMOs) and laboratories

 

 

2

 

Oversees the formulation development, process validation, scale up and manufacturing activities of the drug product at CRMOs and laboratories

These areas of responsibility will require providing direction to and close interaction with CRMO principals and include:

Preparation of RFPs and identification, qualification and selection of scientifically and technically competent CRMOs and laboratories

Proactive strategic and tactical input to the overall compound development plans with particular emphasis on raw material sourcing, formulation development, quality, and manufacturing aspects appropriate for the stage of development (preclinical through to Phase 2 clinical)

High quality scientific and technical scrutiny of CRMO proposals, protocols, data and reports

Negotiate supply and service agreements with CRMOs and laboratories

Participates in multidisciplinary project teams to advance compounds through the various phases of drug development, working closely with Preclinical Research (pharmacology), Preclinical Development (pharmacokinetics, toxicology), Clinical Research, and Regulatory Affairs

Proactively identifies issues, risks and opportunities and make recommendations for improvement, mitigation, or changes and facilitate resolution of issues

Authors sections of CMC submissions to regulatory agencies

When required, interacts with regulatory agencies

Other related duties as assigned

 

 

 

3

 

Exhibit B

 

CONFIDENTIALITY
AND ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTIONS AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated for reference the 20th day of September, 2018 (the “Effective Date”).

 

BETWEEN:

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC., a company incorporated under the laws of British Columbia (the “Company”), with offices at Suite 340, 200 Granville St., Vancouver, B.C.V6C 1S4

 

AND:

 

Michael Woudenberg (the “Executive”), of 636 Fairway Drive, North Vancouver, BC V7G 1L6

 

WHEREAS:

 

A.       The Company is a pre-clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that specializes in developing therapies through the research and development of novel, cannabinoid-based therapies combined with innovative drug delivery systems;

 

B.       In connection with the employment of the Executive by the Company, the parties desire to establish the terms and conditions under which the Executive will (i) receive from and disclose to the Company proprietary and confidential information; (ii) agree to keep the information confidential, to protect it from disclosure and to use it only in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and (iii) assign to the Company all rights, including any ownership interest which may arise in all inventions and intellectual property developed or disclosed by the Executive over the course of his work during his employment with the Company, as set out in this Agreement.

 

NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that in consideration of the employment of the Executive by the Company and the payment by the Company to the Executive of the sum of $10.00 and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. INTERPRETATION

 

1.1 Definitions. In this Agreement:

 

(a) Affiliate” means, in respect of the Company, a company or other entity which directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company. For the purposes of this definition, “control” means direct or indirect beneficial ownership of a greater than 50% interest in the income of such company or entity or such other relationship as, in fact, constitutes actual control.

 

 

4

 

(b) Business” or “Business of the Company” means:

 

(i) researching, developing, commercializing, producing and marketing novel, cannabinoid-based therapies combined with innovative drug delivery systems; or

 

(ii) any other area in which the Company has an active research and development program on the date the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates and in connection with which the Executive directly provided service or had direct supervisory responsibilities.

 

(c) Confidential Information” shall mean all information, knowledge, or data, whether in written, oral, electronic or other form, relating to the Business of the Company, whether or not conceived, originated, discovered or developed in whole or in part by the Executive, that is not generally known to the public or to other persons who are not bound by obligations of confidentiality and:

 

(i) from which the Company or its Affiliates derive economic value, actual or potential, from the information not being generally known; or

 

(ii) in respect of which the Company or its Affiliates otherwise have a legitimate interest in maintaining secrecy;

 

and which, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall include:

 

(iii) all proprietary information licensed to, acquired, used or developed by the Company and its Affiliates in its research and development activities (including but not restricted to the research and development of RNA interference drugs and delivery technology), other scientific strategies and concepts, designs, know-how, information, material, formulas, processes, research data and proprietary rights in the nature of copyrights, patents, trademarks, licenses and industrial designs;

 

(iv) all information relating to the Business of the Company, and to all other aspects of the structure, personnel and operations of the Company and its Affiliates, including financial, clinical, regulatory, marketing, advertising and commercial information and strategies, customer lists, compilations, agreements and contractual records and correspondence; programs, devices, concepts, inventions, designs, methods, processes, data, know-how, unique combinations of separate items that is not generally known and items provided or disclosed to the Company or its Affiliates by third parties subject to restrictions on use or disclosure;

 

(v) all know-how relating to the Business of the Company, including all biological, chemical, pharmacological, toxicological, pharmaceutical, physical and analytical, clinical, safety, manufacturing and quality control data and information, and all applications, registrations, licenses,

 

 

5

 

    authorizations, approvals and correspondence submitted to regulatory authorities;

 

(vi) all information relating to the businesses of competitors of the Company or its Affiliates, including information relating to competitors’ research and development, intellectual property, operations, financial, clinical, regulatory, marketing, advertising and commercial strategies, that is not generally known;

 

(vii) all information provided to the Company or its Affiliates by their agents, consultants, lawyers, contractors, licensors or licensees and relating to the Business of the Company; and

 

(viii) all information relating to the Executive’s compensation and benefits, including his salary, vacation, stock options, perquisites, severance notice, rights on termination and all other compensation and benefits, except that he shall be entitled to disclose such information to his bankers, advisors, agents, consultants and other third parties who have a duty of confidence to him and who have a need to know such information in order to provide advice, products or services to him.

 

All Work Product shall be deemed to be the Company’s Confidential Information.

 

(d) Intellectual Property” is used in its broadest sense and means and includes any statutory, common law, equitable, contractual or proprietary rights or interests, recognized currently or in future, in and to any Inventions, including, without limitation, rights and interests in and to the following:

 

(i) knowledge, know-how and its embodiments, including trade secret information;

 

(ii) patents in inventions, and all applications therefor;

 

(iii) copyrights in artistic, literary, dramatic, musical, and neighbouring works, copyrightable works of authorship including technical descriptions for products, user guides, illustrations, advertising materials, computer programs, source code and object code, and all applications therefor;

 

(iv) trademarks, service marks, tradenames, business names and domain names and all applications therefor;

 

(v) industrial designs and all other industrial or intellectual property and all applications therefor; and

 

(vi) all goodwill connected with the foregoing.

 

(e) Inventions” shall mean any and all inventions, discoveries, developments, enhancements, improvements, concepts, formulas, designs, processes, ideas,

 

 

6

 

    writings and other works, whether or not reduced to practice, and whether or not protectable under patent, copyright, trade secret or similar laws.

 

(f) Work Product” shall mean any and all Inventions and possible Inventions relating to the Business of the Company and which the Executive may make or conceive, alone or jointly with others, during his involvement in any capacity with the Company, whether during or outside his regular working hours, except those Inventions made or conceived by the Executive entirely on his own time that do not relate to the Business of the Company and do not derive from any equipment, supplies, facilities, Confidential Information or other information, gained, directly or indirectly, from or through his involvement in any capacity with the Company.

 

2. CONFIDENTIALITY

 

2.1                          Prior Business Confidential Information. The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that the Executive has not brought or used, and the Executive covenants and agrees that the Executive will not use or bring to the Company any confidential information of any kind whatsoever of any prior party (the “Prior Business”) with whom the Executive was previously involved, whether such involvement was as an employee, director or officer of that Prior Business, an investor in that Prior Business, a partner in that Prior Business, a consultant to that Prior Business or other relationship to that Prior Business (the “Prior Involvement”). The Company and the Executive acknowledge and agree that the Company is not employing the Executive to obtain confidential information relating to any Prior Involvement and the Executive acknowledges that the Company has advised the Executive to comply with any and all legal obligations the Executive may have to such Prior Business. The Executive covenants and agrees to hold the Company harmless from any and all claims and damages of any kind whatsoever that the Company may suffer as a result of any breach by the Executive of his obligations to such Prior Business in that regard.

 

2.2                         Basic Obligation of Confidentiality. The Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that in the course of his involvement with the Company, the Company may disclose to him or he may otherwise have access or be exposed to Confidential Information. The Company hereby agrees to provide such access to the Executive and the Executive hereby agrees to receive and hold all Confidential Information on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement. Except as otherwise set out in this Agreement, the Executive will keep strictly confidential all Confidential Information and all other information belonging to the Company that he acquires, observes or is informed of, directly or indirectly, in connection with his involvement, in any capacity, with the Company both during and after the term of his employment in any capacity with the Company.

 

2.3                         Fiduciary Capacity. The Executive will be and act toward the Company and its Affiliates as a fiduciary in respect of the Confidential Information.

 

2.4                         Non-disclosure. Except with the prior written consent of the Company, the Executive will not at any time, either during or after he involvement in any capacity with the Company;

 

 

7

 

(a) use or copy any Confidential Information or recollections thereof for any purpose other than the performance of his duties for the benefit of the Company and its Affiliates;

 

(b) publish or disclose any Confidential Information or recollections thereof to any person other than to employees of the Company and its Affiliates who have a need to know such Confidential Information in the performance of their duties for the Company or its Affiliates;

 

(c) permit or cause any Confidential Information to be used, copied, published, disclosed, translated or adapted except as otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement; or

 

(d) permit or cause any Confidential Information to be stored off the premises of the Company, including permitting or causing such Confidential Information to be stored in electronic format on personal computers, except in accordance with written procedures of the Company, as amended from time to time in writing.

 

2.5                          Taking Precautions. The Executive will take all reasonable precautions necessary or prudent to prevent material in his possession or control that contains or refers to Confidential Information from being discovered, used or copied by third parties.

 

2.6                         The Company’s Ownership of Confidential Information. As between the Executive and the Company, the Company shall own all right, title and interest in and to the Confidential Information, whether or not created or developed by the Executive.

 

2.7                          Control of Confidential Information and Return of Information. All physical materials produced or prepared by the Executive containing Confidential Information, including, without limitation, records, devices, computer files, data, notes, reports, proposals, lists, correspondence, specifications, drawings, plans, materials, accounts, reports, financial statements, estimates and all other materials prepared in the course of his responsibilities to or for the benefit of the Company or its Affiliates, together with all copies thereof (in whatever medium recorded), shall belong to the Company, and the Executive will promptly turn over to the Company’s possession every original and copy of any and all such items in his possession or control upon request by the Company. If the material is such that it cannot reasonably be delivered, upon request from the Company, the Executive will provide reasonable evidence that such materials have been destroyed, purged or erased.

 

2.8                         Purpose of Use. The Executive agrees that he will use Confidential Information only for purposes authorized or directed by the Company.

 

2.9                         Exemptions. The obligations of confidentiality set out in this Article 2 will not apply to any of the following:

 

(a) information that is already known to the Executive, though not due to a prior disclosure by the Company or its Affiliates or by a person who obtained knowledge of the information, directly or indirectly, from the Company or its Affiliates;

 

 

8

 

(b) information disclosed to the Executive by another person who is not obliged to maintain the confidentiality of that information and who did not obtain knowledge of the information, directly or indirectly, from the Company or its Affiliates;

 

(c) information that is developed by the Executive independently of Confidential Information received from the Company or its Affiliates and such independent development can be documented by the Executive;

 

(d) other particular information or material which the Company expressly exempts by written instrument signed by the Company;

 

(e) information or material that is in the public domain through no fault of the Executive; and

 

(f) information required by operation of law, court order or government agency to be disclosed, provided that:

 

(i) in the event that the Executive is required to disclose such information or material, upon becoming aware of the obligation to disclose, the Executive will provide to the Company prompt written notice so that the Company may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance with the provisions of this Agreement;

 

(ii) if the Company agrees that the disclosure is required by law, it will give the Executive written authorization to disclose the information for the required purposes only;

 

(iii) if the Company does not agree that the disclosure is required by law, this Agreement will continue to apply, except to the extent that a Court of competent jurisdiction orders otherwise; and

 

(iv) if a protective order or other remedy is not obtained or if compliance with this Agreement is waived, the Executive will furnish only that portion of the Confidential Information that is legally required and will exercise all reasonable efforts to obtain confidential treatment of such Confidential Information.

 

3. ASSIGNMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

 

3.1                          Notice of Invention. The Executive agrees to promptly and fully inform the Company of all Work Product, whether or not patentable, throughout the course of his involvement, in any capacity, with the Company and from which there is a reasonable basis to believe that Intellectual Property may be derived therefrom, whether or not developed before or after execution of this Agreement. On his ceasing to be employed by the Company for any reason whatsoever, the Executive will immediately deliver up to the Company all Work Product.

 

3.2                         Assignment of Rights. Subject only to the exceptions set out in Attachment 1 attached to this Agreement, the Executive will assign, and does hereby assign, to the Company or,

 

 

9

 

at the option of the Company and upon notice from the Company, to the Company’s designee, all of his right, title and interest in and to all Work Product, including all Intellectual Property rights therein. To the extent that the Executive retains or acquires legal title to any such Intellectual Property rights and interests, the Executive hereby declares and confirms that such legal title is and will be held by him only as trustee and agent for the Company or the Company’s designee. The Executive agrees that the Company’s rights hereunder shall attach to all Intellectual Property rights in his Work Product, notwithstanding that it may be perfected or reduced to specific form after he has terminated his relationship with the Company. The Executive further agrees that the Company’s rights hereunder are worldwide rights and are not limited to Canada, but shall extend to every country of the world.

 

3.3                         Moral Rights. Without limiting the foregoing, the Executive hereby irrevocably waives any and all moral rights arising under the Copyright Act (Canada), as amended, or any successor legislation of similar force and effect or similar legislation in other applicable jurisdictions or at common law that he may have with respect to all Work Product, and agrees never to assert any moral rights which he may have in the Work Product, including, without limitation, the right to the integrity of the Work Product, the right to be associated with the Work Product, the right to restrain or claim damages for any distortion, mutilation or other modification or enhancement of the Work Product and the right to restrain the use or reproduction of the Work Product in any context and in connection with any product, service, cause or institution, and the Executive further confirms that the Company may use or alter any Work Product as the Company sees fits in its absolute discretion.

 

3.4                          Goodwill. The Executive hereby agrees that all goodwill he has established or may establish with clients, customers, suppliers, principals, shareholders, investors, collaborators, strategic partners, licensees, contacts or prospects of the Company relating to the Business of the Company (or of its partners, subsidiaries or affiliates), both before and after the Effective Date, shall, as between the Executive and the Company, be and remain the property of the Company exclusively, for the Company to use, alter, vary, adapt and exploit as the Company shall determine in its discretion.

 

3.5                          Assistance. The Executive hereby agrees to reasonably assist the Company, at the Company’s request and expense, in:

 

(a) making patent applications for all Work Product, including instructions to lawyers and/or patent agents as to the characteristics of the Work Product in sufficient detail to enable the preparation of a suitable patent specification, to execute all formal documentation incidental to an application for letters patent and to execute assignment documents in favour of the Company for such applications;

 

(b) making applications for all other forms of Intellectual Property registration relating to all Work Product;

 

(c) prosecuting and maintaining the patent applications and other Intellectual Property relating to all Work Product; and

 

 

10

 

(d) registering, maintaining and enforcing the patents and other Intellectual Property registrations relating to all Work Product.

 

If the Company is unable for any reason to secure the Executive’s signature with respect to any Work Product including, without limitation, to apply for or to pursue any application for any patents or copyright registrations covering such Work Product, then the Executive hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as his agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and in his behalf and stead to execute and file any papers, oaths and to do all other lawfully permitted acts with respect to such Work Product with the same legal force and effect as if executed by him.

 

3.6                          Assistance with Proceedings. The Executive further agrees to reasonably assist the Company, at the Company’s request and expense, in connection with any defence to an allegation of infringement of another person’s intellectual property rights, claim of invalidity of another person’s intellectual property rights, opposition to, or intervention regarding, an application for letters patent, copyright or trademark or other proceedings relating to Intellectual Property or applications for registration thereof.

 

3.7                         Commercialization. The Executive understands that the decision whether or not to commercialize or market any Work Product is within the Company’s sole discretion and for the Company’s sole benefit and that no royalty or other consideration will be due or payable to him as a result of the Company’s efforts to commercialize or market any such Work Product.

 

3.8                         Prior Business Intellectual Property. The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that he has not brought or used, and the Executive covenants and agrees that he will not use or bring to the Company any Intellectual Property of any kind whatsoever of any Prior Business with whom the Executive had a Prior Involvement or any Intellectual Property directly owned by the Executive. The Company and the Executive acknowledge and agree that the Company is not employing the Executive to obtain Intellectual Property relating to any Prior Involvement and the Executive acknowledges that the Company has advised the Executive to comply with any legal obligations the Executive may have to such Prior Business. The Executive covenants and agrees to hold the Company harmless from any and all claims and damages of any kind whatsoever that the Company may suffer as a result any breach by the Executive of his obligations to such Prior Business in that regard.

 

3.9                          Prior Inventions. In order to have them excluded from this Agreement, the Executive has set forth on Attachment 1 attached to this Agreement a complete list of all Inventions for which a patent application has not yet been filed that he has, alone or jointly with others, conceived, developed or reduced to practice prior to the execution of this Agreement to which he has any right, title or interest, and which relate to the Business of the Company. If such list is blank or no such list is attached, the Executive represents and warrants that there are no such prior Inventions.

 

 

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4. General

 

4.1                           Term. Subject to Section 4.10, the term of this Agreement is from the Effective Date and terminates on the date that the Executive is no longer working at or for the Company in any capacity.

 

4.2                            No Conflicting Obligations. The Executive hereby represents and warrants that he has no agreements with or obligations to any other person with respect to the matters covered by this Agreement or concerning the Confidential Information that are in conflict with anything in this Agreement, except as disclosed in Attachment 1 attached to this Agreement.

 

4.3                            Publicity. The Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, make or give any public announcements, press releases or statements to the public or the press regarding any Work Product or any Confidential Information.

 

4.4                           Further Assurances. The parties will execute and deliver to each other such further instruments and assurances and do such further acts as may be required to give effect to this Agreement.

 

4.5                            Notices. All notices and other communications that are required or permitted by this Agreement must be in writing and shall be hand delivered or sent by express delivery service or certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, or by facsimile transmission (with receipt confirmed in writing) to the parties at the addresses on page 1 of this Agreement. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been received on the earlier of the date actually received or the date five (5) days after the same was posted or sent. Either party may change its address or its facsimile number by giving the other party written notice, delivered in accordance with this section.

 

4.6                            Equitable Remedies. The Executive understands and acknowledges that if he breaches any of his obligations under this Agreement, that breach may give rise to irreparable injury to the Company for which damages are an inadequate remedy. In the event of any such breach by the Executive, in addition to all other remedies available to the Company at law or in equity, the Company will be entitled as a matter of right to apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for such relief by way of restraining order, injunction, decree or otherwise, as may be appropriate to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

4.7                            Non -Waiver. Failure on the part of either party to complain of any act or failure to act of the other of them or to declare the other party in default of this Agreement, irrespective of how long such failure continues, will not constitute a waiver by such party of their rights hereunder or of the right to then or subsequently declare a default.

 

4.8                            Severability. In the event that any provision or part of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable in whole or in part, the remaining provisions, or parts thereof, will be and remain in full force and effect.

 

4.9                           Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all agreements, understandings, warranties or representations of any kind, written or oral, express or implied, including any relating to the nature of the position or its duration, and each of the parties releases

 

 

12

 

and forever discharges the other of and from all manner of actions, causes of action, claim or demands whatsoever under or in respect of any agreement.

 

4.10                          Survival. Notwithstanding the expiration or early termination of this Agreement, the provisions of Article 1, Article 2 (including the obligations of confidentiality and to return Confidential Information, which shall endure, with respect to each item of Confidential Information, for so long as those items fall within the definition of Confidential Information), Sections 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 and 3.8 and Article 4 shall survive any expiration or early termination of this Agreement.

 

4.11                         Modification of Agreement. Any modification of this Agreement must be in writing and signed by both the Company and the Executive or it will have no effect and will be void.

 

4.12                          Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed according to the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada.

 

4.13                          Independent Legal Advice. The Executive agrees that he has obtained or has had an opportunity to obtain independent legal advice in connection with this Agreement, and further acknowledge that he has read, understands, and agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions contained herein.

 

REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date and year first above written.

 

  )  
SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED )  
by Michael Woudenberg in the presence )  
of: )  
     
Witness Signature ) Michael Woudenberg
  )  
Witness Name )  
  )  
Witness Address )  
  )  
  )  
  )  
Witness Occupation )  

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
     
Per:    
  Eric A. Adams  
  President and CEO  

 

 

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Attachment 1
to Confidentiality and Assignment of Inventions Agreement

 

EXCLUSIONS FROM WORK PRODUCT

 

NIL

 

 

 

 

Exhibit C

 

GENERAL RELEASE LANGUAGE

 

The Executive agrees, for himself, his spouse, heirs, executor or administrator, assigns, insurers, attorneys, and other persons or entities acting or purporting to act on his behalf (the “Executive’s Parties”), to irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit, and forever discharge the Company, its affiliates, subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, agents, representatives, predecessors, successors, assigns, insurers, attorneys, benefit plans sponsored by the Company, and said plans’ fiduciaries, agents and trustees (the “Company’s Parties”), from any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims, obligations, liabilities, debts, demands, contentions, damages, judgments, levies, and executions of any kind, whether in law or in equity, known or unknown, which the Executive’s Parties have, have had, or may in the future claim to have against the Company’s Parties by reason of, arising out of, related to, or resulting from the Executive’s employment with the Company or the termination of that employment. This release specifically includes without limitation any claims arising in tort or contract, any claim based on wrongful discharge, any claim based on breach of contract, any claim arising under federal, state or local law prohibiting race, sex, age, religion, national origin, handicap, disability, or other forms of discrimination, any claim arising under federal, state, or local law concerning employment practices, and any claim relating to compensation or benefits. It is understood and agreed that the waiver of benefits and claims contained in this section does not include a waiver of the right to payment of any vested, non-forfeitable benefits to which the Executive or a beneficiary of the Executive may be entitled under the terms and provisions of any employee benefit plan of the company which have accrued as of the Date of Termination, and does not include a waiver of the right to benefits and payment of consideration to which the Executive may be entitled under this Agreement or any of the agreements contemplated by this Agreement (including the indemnification agreement and the stock option agreement). The Executive acknowledges that he is entitled to only the severance benefits and compensation set forth in this Agreement, and that all other claims for any other benefits or compensation are hereby waived, except those expressly stated in the preceding sentence.

 

The Executive hereby acknowledges his understanding that under this Agreement he is releasing any known or unknown claims he may have.

 

The Executive expressly waives and relinquishes all rights and benefits under that section and any law of any jurisdiction of similar effect with respect to his release of claims.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

EXISTING CONFLICTS

 

None.

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.7

 

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT made this 9th day of July, 2019 (the “Effective Date”)

 

BETWEEN:

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC., a company incorporated under the laws of British Columbia (the “Company”), with offices at Suite 340, 200 Granville St, Vancouver, B.C., V6C 1S4

 

AND:

 

Bruce S. Colwill (the “Executive”), of 1716 West King Edward Ave., Vancouver, B.C., V6J 2V9

 

WHEREAS:

 

A.       The Company is a preclinical stage biopharmaceutical company that specializes in developing therapies through the research and development of novel, cannabinoid-based therapies combined with innovative drug delivery systems;

 

B.       The Executive has the expertise, qualifications and required certifications to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; and

 

C.       The Company wishes to employ the Executive to perform the services, on the terms and conditions herein set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged.

 

NOW THISEFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. EMPLOYMENT

 

(a) The Executive will be employed by and will serve the Company as its Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) and Corporate Secretary and will have powers and duties consistent with such position as may from time to time be prescribed by the CEO and Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), as outlined in Exhibit A. The Executive will report directly to the CEO and will comply with all lawful instructions given by the CEO.

 

 

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(b) The terms and conditions of this Agreement will have effect as and from the Effective Date and the Executive’s employment as CFO will continue until terminated as provided for in this Agreement.

 

(c) The Executive acknowledges and agrees that in addition to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Executive’s employment with the Company is subject to and governed by the Company’s policies as established from time to time. The Executive agrees to comply with the terms of such policies so long as they are not inconsistent with any provisions of the Agreement. The Executive will inform himself of the details of such policies and amendments thereto established from time to time.

 

(d) The Executive will devote himself on an exclusive, full-time basis to the Company’s business. The Executive may manage his personal investments or engage in charitable or other community activities as long as those services and activities do not interfere with the Executive’s performance of his duties to the Company. Active employment is scheduled to begin
once the parties agree on a transition plan such that the Executive will start on a part-time basis on 9 August 2019 (the “Effective Date of Employment”) with an increasing time commitment such that the Executive will be employed on a full-time basis no later than 15 September 2019. Irrespective of the transition plan, the Executive agrees to be the named CFO of InMed upon filing of the Company’s Form 10 to the SEC.

 

(e) Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and in consideration of the Executive’s employment by the Company, the Executive and the Company will enter into an Indemnity Agreement as well as a “Confidentiality and Assignment of Inventions Agreement” in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

 

2. REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

 

(a) Base Salary.

 

(i) In consideration of full-time status, the Company will pay the Executive an annual salary, per annum, of C$310,000, less required deductions (the “Base Salary”).

 

(ii) The Base Salary will be payable semi-monthly, in arrears. The Executive’s Base Salary will be reviewed annually by the Board and the compensation committee of the Company in accordance with the Company’s annual performance and compensation review process, including consideration of the Company’s market capitalization and financial stability, and is subject to increase but not decrease, except an across-the-board salary reduction affecting all senior executives of the Company and with any such reduction being of similar

 

 

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magnitudes across all executives, nor will it necessarily result in an increase to the Base Salary. The base salary in effect at any given time is referred to as “Base Salary” and this Agreement need not be modified to reflect a change in Base Salary. The Base Salary is subject to withholding and payable in a manner that is consistent with the Company’s usual payroll practices for senior executives.

 

(b) Bonus. The Executive is eligible to be considered for an annual discretionary bonus which will be subject to the approval of the Board and the compensation committee of the Company, in their sole discretion, on an annual basis in accordance with the Company’s annual performance and compensation review process, including consideration of the Company’s market capitalization and financial stability. Payment of a bonus in any one year will not indicate the payment of a bonus in any other year. Target bonus is equal to 35% of Base Salary, pro-rated in the first year.

 

(c) Stock Options. The Executive’s allotment of stock options in the capital of the Company shall be 1,000,000 stock options (the “Options”) pursuant to the Company’s Incentive Stock Option Plan (the “Stock Option Plan”). The Options shall be priced at Market price in accordance with and subject to the Option policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Company’s Insider Trading Guidelines and the blackout provisions therein. The Options are to be issued on the Effective Date of Employment and will vest as follows:

 

Type of Option Total Number of Options Vesting Number Vesting Date
Newly issued options with this Agreement

1,000,000

 

 

 

250,000 12 months after Effective Date of Employment
250,000 18 months after Effective Date of Employment
250,000 24 months after Effective Date of Employment
62,500 Every 3 months commencing 27 months after Effective Date of Employment

 

 

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(d) The Options will cease to vest on the Date of Termination of this Agreement (as defined in Section 5(g)). The terms and conditions relating to the Options will be subject to the Option Agreement that is entered into concurrently with this Agreement, as well as the Stock Option Plan. If there is any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Stock Option Plan, the terms of the Stock Option Plan will govern. If there is any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Option Agreement, the terms of this Agreement will govern to the extent of the conflict.

 

(e) Expenses. The Company will reimburse the Executive for all reasonable expenses actually and properly incurred by the Executive in performing services under this Agreement, in accordance with the policies and procedures then in effect and established by the Company for its senior executives. The Executive will provide the Company with receipts supporting the Executive’s claims for reimbursement.

 

The Company also agrees to reimburse the Executive for the following: 

i. Annual Chartered Professional Accountant, Financial Executive International and Governance Professionals of Canada dues and annual professional development fees associated with maintaining standing in the Institute of Chartered Professional Accountant and Governance Professionals of Canada.

ii. Up to $325 per month for parking and monthly cell phone expense up to $100 (both as per contracts made available to the Company).

 

(f) Other Benefits. The Company will facilitate the Executive’s enrolment in the Company’s insurance benefits plans, if any, as may be amended from time to time by the Company or the Company’s insurance carrier. Eligibility to participate in the plans and to receive benefits under the plans will be subject to the terms and requirements of the applicable insurance carrier in accordance with the formal benefits plan documents and policies but will not be subject to a waiting period. Any issues with respect to entitlement to or payment of benefits under the benefits package will be governed by the terms of such documents and policies. The Company will not be responsible for the payment of benefits in any circumstance. Further, the Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend, change or terminate any of the insurance benefit plans or providers.

 

(g) Vacation. The Executive is entitled to paid holidays and vacation days each year, in an amount determined in accordance with and subject to the Company’s applicable policies in effect, and as may be amended from time to time. The Executive will be entitled to 30 days of vacation per calendar year, which will be pro-rated for any year in which the Executive is only

 

 

- 5 -

 

employed with the Company for a portion of the year or for any period in which the Executive is not a full-time employee. Vacation days will be scheduled at times that are mutually acceptable to the Executive and the Company. Carry-over of vacation days will be according to Company policy, and any accrued but unused vacation days will be paid out upon termination or otherwise as per Company policies.

 

3. NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION

 

(a) The biotechnology industry is highly competitive and employees leaving the employ of the Company have the ability to cause significant damage to the Company’s interests if they join a competing business immediately upon leaving the Company.

 

(b) Definitions:

 

(i) Business” or “Business of the Company” means:

 

(A) researching, developing, commercializing, producing and marketing novel, cannabinoid-based therapies combined with innovative drug delivery systems; or

 

(ii) Competing Business” means any endeavor, activity or business which is competitive in any material way with the Business of the Company worldwide.

 

(iii) Contact” means any person, firm, corporation or other entity that was a client, customer, supplier, principal, shareholder, investor, collaborator, strategic partner, licensee, contact or prospect of the Company (or of its partners or funders) with whom the Executive dealt or otherwise became aware of during the term of the Executive’s employment in any capacity with the Company.

 

(iv) Restricted Period” means a period of 12 months.

 

(c) Reasonableness. The Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that:

 

(i) both before and since the commencement of the Executive’s employment by the Company, the Company has operated and competed and will operate and compete worldwide, with respect to the Business of the Company;

 

(ii) competitors of the Company and the Business are located worldwide;

 

(iii) in order to protect the Company adequately, any enjoinder of competition would have to apply to any country in which the Company, during the term of the Executive’s employment, had material business relationships;

 

 

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(iv) during the course of the Executive’s employment with the Company, on behalf of the Company, the Executive will acquire knowledge of, and will come into contact with, initiate and establish relationships with, both existing and new clients, customers, suppliers, principals, contacts and prospects of the Company, and that in some circumstances the Executive may become the senior or sole representative of the Company dealing with such persons; and

 

(v) in light of the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 3 are reasonable and necessary for the proper protection of the Business of the Company.

 

(d) Restrictive Covenant. Except as set forth on Exhibit D attached hereto, during the term of the Executive’s employment and for the Restricted Period after the termination thereof, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Board, such consent to be granted or withheld in the Board’s sole discretion, within the geographic scope of any country in which the Company, during the term of the Executive’s employment, had material business relationships, carry on or be employed by or engaged in or have any financial or other interest in or be otherwise commercially involved in a Competing Business, directly or indirectly, either individually or in partnership or jointly or in conjunction with any person, firm, corporation or other entity, as principal, agent, consultant, advisor, employee, shareholder or in any manner whatsoever.

 

(e) Exception. The Executive shall not be in default of Section 3(d) by virtue of the Executive:

 

(i) following the termination of employment, holding, strictly for portfolio purposes and as a passive investor, no more than five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding shares of, or any other interest in, any corporation or other entity which is listed on any recognized stock exchange, that is a Competing Business; or

 

(ii) during the term of the Executive’s employment, holding, strictly for portfolio purposes and as a passive investor, issued and outstanding shares of, or any other interest in, any corporation or other entity, the business of which corporation or other entity is in the same Business as the Company provided such corporation is not a Competing Business, and provided further that the Executive first obtains the Company’s written consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

If the Executive holds issued and outstanding shares or any other interest in a corporation or other entity pursuant to Section 3(e)(ii) above, and following the acquisition of such shares or other interest the business of the corporation or other entity becomes a Competing Business, the Executive will promptly dispose of the Executive’s shares or other interest in such corporation or other entity.

 

 

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(f) Non-Solicitation. The Executive shall not, during the term of the Executive’s employment and for the Restricted Period after the termination thereof for any reason, whether legal or illegal, either individually or in partnership or jointly or in conjunction with any person, firm, corporation or other entity, as principal, agent, consultant, advisor, employee, shareholder or in any manner whatsoever, without the prior written and informed consent of the Company, directly or indirectly:

 

(i) canvass or solicit the business of (or procure or assist the canvassing or soliciting of the business of) any Contact, or otherwise solicit, induce or encourage any Contact to curtail or cease its relationship with the Company, for any purpose which is competitive with the Business; or

 

(ii) accept (or procure or assist the acceptance of) any business from any Contact which business is competitive with the Business; or

 

(iii) be employed by or supply (or procure or assist the supply of) any goods or services to any Contact for any purpose which is competitive with the Business; or

 

(iv) employ, engage, offer employment or engagement to or solicit the employment or engagement of or otherwise entice away from or solicit, induce or encourage to leave the employment or engagement of the Company, any individual who is employed or engaged by the Company whether or not such individual would commit any breach of the Executive’s contract or terms of employment or engagement by leaving the employ or the engagement of the Company, provided that the Executive shall be permitted, solely in a personal capacity, to provide letters of reference for individuals who are employed by the Company.

 

(g) Validity. The Executive expressly recognizes and acknowledges that it is the intent of the parties that the Executive’s activities following the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company be restricted in the manner described in this Section 3, and acknowledges that good, valuable, and sufficient consideration has been provided in exchange for such restrictions. The Executive agrees that should any of the restrictions contained in this Section 3 be found to be unreasonable to any extent by a court of competent jurisdiction adjudicating upon the validity of the restriction, whether as to the scope of the restriction, the area of the restriction or the duration of the restriction, then such restriction shall be reduced to that which is in fact declared reasonable by such court, or a subsequent court of competent jurisdiction, requested to make such a declaration, in order to ensure that the intention of the parties is given the greatest possible effect.

 

 

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4. INJUNCTIVE RELIEF

 

(a) The Executive understands and agrees that the Company has a material interest in preserving the relationships it has developed with its executives, customers and suppliers against impairment by competitive activities of a former executive. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that the restrictions and covenants contained in Section 3 are reasonably required for the protection of the Company and its goodwill and that the Executive’s agreement to those restrictions and covenants by the execution of this Agreement, are of the essence to this Agreement and constitute a material inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement and to employ the Executive, and that the Company would not enter into this Agreement absent such an inducement.

 

(b) The Executive understands and acknowledges that if the Executive breaches Section 3, that breach could give rise to irreparable injury to the Company for which damages are an inadequate remedy, and the Company may pursue injunctive relief for such breach in a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

5. TERMINATION

 

The Executive’s employment by the Company may be terminated under the following circumstances:

 

(a) Death. The Executive’s employment hereunder will terminate upon the Executive’s death.

 

(b) Disability. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment if the Executive is disabled (as determined by the Chief Executive Officer) in a manner that renders the Executive unable to perform the essential functions of the Executive’s then existing position or positions under this Agreement with or without reasonable accommodation for a period of six (6) months or more. Nothing in this Section 5(b) will be construed to waive the Executive’s rights, if any, under the Company’s insurance benefits plans accruing prior to termination or under applicable law.

 

(c) Termination by Company for Cause.

 

The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment For Cause at any time, without notice or payment in lieu thereof and the payment by the Company of the Executive’s Accrued Benefits shall constitute the Company’s full obligations of the Company to the Executive and any further obligations under this Agreement shall cease.

 

(i) For the purposes of this Agreement, “For Cause” shall mean:

 

(A) the Executive is convicted of a crime involving dishonesty,

 

 

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breach of trust, or physical harm to any person (excluding driving while affected by drugs or alcohol) or any violation of provincial or federal securities laws;

 

(B) the Executive willfully engages in conduct that is in bad faith and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise, including but not limited to, misappropriation of trade secrets, fraud or embezzlement;

 

(C) the Executive commits a material breach of this Agreement;

 

(D) the Executive willfully refuses to implement or follow a lawful policy or reasonable directive of the Company; or

 

(E) the Executive willfully and on a continuing basis fails to perform his duties hereunder diligently and professionally.

 

(d) Termination by the Company without Cause.

 

(i) The Company, in its sole discretion, may terminate the Executive’s employment under this Agreement without Cause at any time.

 

(ii) For the purposes of this Agreement, any termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement that does not constitute a termination “For Cause” under Section 5(c) and does not result from the death or disability of the Executive under Sections 5(a) or 5(b), respectively, shall be a termination “without Cause”.

 

(e) Resignation by Executive.

 

(i) The Executive may terminate his employment by providing to the Company Notice of Termination of his employment at least 60 days prior to the effective date of resignation. During such notice period Executive shall continue to diligently perform all of Executive’s duties hereunder, provided that the Company shall have the option, in its sole discretion, to waive such notice period, in whole or in part, and if it does so, the Executive’s resignation will become effective and the Executive’s employment will cease on the date set by the Company in the notice of waiver, and the Executive shall be entitled to his Accrued Benefits up to and including the Date of Termination (as defined in Section 5(g)(iii)). In the event the Company waives the Executive’s notice hereunder, the Company will pay the Base Salary portion of the Executive’s Accrued Benefits by way of one or more lump sum payments, by way of salary continuance or by a combination of both.

 

 

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(ii) The Executive may terminate his employment for Good Reason within 12 months following a Change in Control of the Company in accordance with, and subject to, the process set out in Section 7(c).

 

(f) Notice of Termination. Except for termination as specified in Section 5(a), any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company or any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Executive must be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the other party. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Notice of Termination” means a written notice that indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement upon which the termination is based.

 

(g) Date of Termination. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Date of Termination” means:

 

(i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by his death, the date of his death;

 

(ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated on account of disability under Section 5(b) or by the Company for Cause under Section 5(c), or by the Company without Cause under Section 5(d) on the date the Notice of Termination is given;

 

(iii) if the Executive terminates his employment under Section 5(e)(i) without Good Reason, on the effective date of resignation specified by the Executive in the Notice of Termination (which shall be at least sixty (60) days after the date of the Notice of Termination) or, if no such date is specified or if the Company waives the notice period, the date that is 60 days after the date of the Notice of Termination; and

 

(iv) if the Executive terminates his employment under Section 5(e)(ii) for Good Reason following a Change in Control of the Company, the date on which a Notice of Termination.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive gives a Notice of Termination to the Company that takes effect more than sixty (60) days in the future, the Company may unilaterally accelerate the Date of Termination, subject to Section 5(e)(i), and that acceleration will not be deemed a termination by the Company for purposes of this Agreement.

 

6. COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION

 

(a) Termination Generally. If the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated for any reason, the Company shall pay or provide to the Executive (or to his authorized representative or estate) on or before the

 

 

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time required by law, but in no event more than 30 days after the Executive’s Date of Termination:

 

(i) unpaid expense reimbursements;

 

(ii) accrued but unused vacation to the extent payment is required by law or Company policy;

 

(iii) any vested benefits the Executive may have under any employee benefit plan of the Company;

 

(iv) any earned but unpaid Base Salary; and

 

(v) any earned but unpaid annual bonus for the prior fiscal year;

 

for service up to and including the Date of Termination (collectively the “Accrued Benefits”). The Executive shall not be entitled to any other salary, compensation, bonus (or pro rata share thereof) or benefits from the Company thereafter, except as otherwise specifically provided hereunder, under the Company’s employee benefit plans or as expressly required by applicable law.

 

(b) Termination by the Company without Cause. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause, then the Company shall pay the Executive his Accrued Benefits as of the Date of Termination. In addition, subject to Section 7 and the Executive providing the Company with a general release of claims in a form and manner that includes but is not limited to the terms set forth in the attached Exhibit C (the “Release”) within the 60-day period following the Date of Termination, the Company shall pay the Executive an amount (the “Severance Amount”) calculated as follows:

 

(i) If terminated during the initial six (6) months from the Effective Date of Employment, an amount equal to six (6) months’ Base Salary, less withholding;

 

(ii) If terminated any time after the initial six (6) months from the Effective Date of Employment but prior to the sixty (60) month anniversary of the Effective Date of Employment, an incremental amount equal to one (1) months’ Base Salary per month of employment up to a total [Sections 6(b)(i) plus 6(b)(ii)] of twelve (12) months’ Base Salary, less withholding;

 

(iii) If terminated any time after the sixty (60) month anniversary of the Effective Date of Employment, an amount equal to twenty four (24) months’ Base Salary, less withholding;

 

(iv) Additionally, in any event, a bonus payment equal to the average of the actual bonus payments, if any, made to the Executive from the previous three (3) calendar years preceding the Date of Termination,

 

 

- 12 -

 

pro-rated for the then current calendar year up to and including the Date of Termination.

 

The Company shall pay the Severance Amount within 30 days after the Date of Termination, provided that if that 30-day period extends over two calendar years, the Company shall make the payment in the second calendar year, and further provided that the Company, in its sole discretion, in the circumstances, may pay the Severance Amount by way of one or more lump sum payments, by way of salary continuance or by a combination of both. The Severance Amount is inclusive of any entitlement to minimum standard severance under the British Columbia Employment Standards Act.

 

7. CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

(a) The provisions of this Section 7 set forth the Executive’s rights and obligations upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company. These provisions are intended to assure and encourage in advance the Executive’s continued attention and dedication to his assigned duties and his objectivity during the pendency and after the occurrence of any Change in Control. Where the provisions of this Section 7 apply, they shall supersede the payment of the Severance Amount under Section 6(b). The provisions of this Section 7 are subject to the Executive providing to the Company, and not revoking, a fully effective Release.

 

(b) Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(i) Change in Control” means the consummation of any of the following:

 

(A) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to an unrelated person or entity;

 

(B) a merger, reorganization, or consolidation involving the Company in which the shares of voting stock outstanding immediately prior to the transaction represent or are converted into or exchanged for securities of the surviving or resulting entity that, immediately upon completion of the transaction, represent less than 51% of the outstanding voting power of the surviving or resulting entity;

 

(C) the acquisition of all or a majority of the outstanding voting stock of the Company in a single transaction or a series of related transactions by a person or group of persons; or

 

(D) any other acquisition of the business of the Company, as determined by the Board;

 

 

- 13 -

 

but any public offering by the Company, or another capital raising event, or a merger effected solely to change the Company’s domicile does not constitute a Change in Control; and

 

(ii) Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events without the Executive’s prior written consent:

 

(A) a change in the Executive’s position which materially reduces the Executive’s responsibilities from the responsibilities in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control;

 

(B) a reduction by the Company of the Executive’s Base Salary or Target Bonus percentage other than in accordance with Section 2(a)(ii); or

 

(C) a relocation of Executive’s principal place of employment by more than 30 kilometers.

 

(c) Change in Control Severance. If within 12 months following a Change in Control:

 

(i) the Company terminates the Executive’s employment with the Company without Cause; or

 

(ii) the Executive resigns from his employment with the Company for Good Reason;

 

then,

 

(iii) in addition to paying the Executive his Accrued Benefits and in lieu of paying the Executive the Severance Amount, the Company shall pay to the Executive an amount (the “Change in Control Severance Amount”) as follows:

 

(A) an amount equal to twelve (12) months’ Base Salary, less withholding; plus

 

(B) a bonus payment equal to the average of the actual bonus payments, if any, made to the Executive from the previous three (3) calendar years preceding the Date of Termination, pro-rated for the then current calendar year up to and including the Date of Termination.

 

The Company shall pay the Change in Control Severance Amount within 30 days after the Date of Termination, provided that if that 30-day period extends over two calendar years, the Company shall make the payment in the second calendar year, and further provided that the Company, in its sole discretion, in the circumstances, may pay the Change in Control Severance

 

 

- 14 -

 

Amount by way of one or more lump sum payments, by way of salary continuance or by a combination of both. The Change in Control Severance Amount is inclusive of any entitlement to minimum standard severance under the British Columbia Employment Standards Act; and

 

(iv) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any applicable option agreement or stock-based award agreement, all stock options and other stock-based awards held by the Executive shall immediately accelerate, vest, and become fully exercisable or non-forfeitable as of the Date of Termination hereunder.

 

8. RETURN OF MATERIALS UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

 

The Executive will return to the Company all Company documents, files, manuals, books, software, equipment, keys, equipment, identification or credit cards, and all other property belonging to Company upon the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason.

 

9. GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

(a) Withholding. All payments made by the Company to the Executive under this Agreement will be net of any tax or other amounts required to be withheld by the Company under applicable law. Nothing in this Agreement is to be construed to obligate the Company to design or implement any compensation arrangement in a way that minimizes tax consequences for the Executive.

 

(b) Successor to Company. The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no succession had taken place. Failure of the Company to obtain an assumption of this Agreement at or prior to the effectiveness of any succession is a material breach of this Agreement.

 

(c) Successor to the Executive. This Agreement inures to the benefit of and is enforceable by the Executive’s personal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, devisees, and legatees. If the Executive dies after his termination of employment but prior to the completion by the Company of all payments due him under this Agreement, the Company shall continue the payments to the Executive’s beneficiary designated in writing to the Company prior to his death (or to his estate, if the Executive fails to make such a designation).

 

 

- 15 -

 

(d) Non-Waiver. Failure on the part of either party to complain of any act or failure to act of the other of them or to declare the other party in default of this Agreement, irrespective of how long such failure continues, will not constitute a waiver by such party of their rights hereunder or of the right to then or subsequently declare a default.

 

(e) Severability. In the event that any provision or part of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable in whole or in part, the remaining provisions, or parts thereof, will be and remain in full force and effect.

 

(f) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the employment of the Executive and supersedes any and all agreements, understandings, warranties or representations of any kind, written or oral, express or implied, including any relating to the nature of the position or its duration, and each of the parties releases and forever discharges the other of and from all manner of actions, causes of action, claim or demands whatsoever under or in respect of any agreement.

 

(g) Survival. The provisions of this Agreement survive the termination of this Agreement and/or the termination of the Executive’s employment to the extent necessary to effectuate the intent of the Parties as expressed in this Agreement.

 

(h) Modification of Agreement. Any modification of this Agreement must be in writing and signed by both the Company and the Executive or it will have no effect and will be void.

 

(i) Disputes. Except for disputes arising in respect of Section 3, all disputes arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and the employment relationship between the parties, but for greater certainty not including disputes that may arise out of or in connection with the Confidentiality and Assignment of Inventions Agreement, are to be referred to and finally resolved by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Domestic Commercial Rules of Procedure of the British Columbia International Commercial Arbitration Centre. The place of arbitration will be Vancouver, British Columbia.

 

(j) Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed according to the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada.

 

(k) Notices. Any notices, requests, demands, and other communications provided for by this Agreement are sufficient if in writing and delivered in person or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Executive at the last address the Executive has filed in writing with the

 

 

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Company or, in the case of the Company, at its main offices, attention to the Corporate Secretary.

 

(l) Independent Legal Advice. The Executive agrees that he has obtained or has had an opportunity to obtain independent legal advice in connection with this Agreement, and further acknowledge that he has read, understands, and agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions contained herein. The Executive further agrees that the consideration described aforesaid is accepted voluntarily for the purpose of employment with the Company under the terms and conditions described above.

 

(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and by each party on separate counterparts, each of which counterparts, when so executed and delivered is to be taken to be an original; but those counterparts together constitute one and the same document. PDF, facsimile, scanned, and electronic signatures have the same legal effect as original ink signatures.

 

REMAINER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date and year first above written.

 


SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED by Bruce Colwill in the presence of:

 

 

 

)

)

)

)

)

 
Witness

)

)

Bruce Colwill
Address

)

)

 
 

)

)

 
Occupation

)

)

 

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

 

Per:

Eric A. Adams
President and CEO

 

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

(LOGO)

 

Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary

 

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) provides both operational and programmatic support to the organization. The CFO supervises the finance unit and is the chief financial spokesperson for the organization. The CFO reports directly to the President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and directly assists the Executive Team on all strategic and tactical matters as they relate to budget management, cost benefit analysis, forecasting needs and the securing of new funding.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Assist in performing all tasks necessary to achieve the organization’s mission and help execute staff succession and growth plans.

Train staff on raising awareness and knowledge of financial management matters.

Work with the President/CEO on the strategic vision including fostering and cultivating stakeholder relationships on city, state, and national levels, as well as assisting in the development and negotiation of contracts.

Participate in developing new business, specifically: assist the CEO in identifying new funding opportunities, the drafting of prospective programmatic budgets, and determining cost effectiveness of prospective service delivery.

Assess the benefits of all prospective contracts and advise the Executive Team on programmatic design and implementation matters.

Ensure adequate controls are installed and that substantiating documentation is approved and available such that all purchases may pass independent and governmental audits.

Provide the Executive Team with an operating budget. Work with the Executive Team to ensure programmatic success through cost analysis support, and compliance with all contractual and programmatic requirements. This includes:

1) interpreting legislative and programmatic rules and regulations to ensure compliance with all federal, state, local and contractual guidelines,

2) ensuring that all government regulations and requirements are disseminated to appropriate personnel, and

3) monitoring compliance.

Oversee the management and coordination of all fiscal reporting activities for the organization including: organizational revenue/expense and balance sheet reports,

 

 

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    reports to funding agencies, development and monitoring of organizational and contract/grant budgets.
Oversee all purchasing and payroll activity for staff and participants.

Develop and maintain systems of internal controls to safeguard financial assets of the organization and oversee federal awards and programs.

Oversee the coordination and activities of independent auditors and ensure that the preparation of the quarterly and annual financial statements and MD&A is in accordance with all government policies and provincial and federal and other required supplementary schedules and information.

Attend Board and Subcommittee meetings; including being the lead staff on the Audit and Risk Committee.

Monitor banking activities of the organization.

Ensure adequate cash flow to meet the organization’s needs.

Investigate cost-effective benefit plans and other fringe benefits which the organization may offer employees and potential employees with the goal of attracting and retaining qualified individuals.

Oversee the production of monthly reports including reconciliations with funders and pension plan requirements, as well as financial statements and cash flow projections for use by Executive management, as well as the Audit and Risk Committee and Board of Directors.

Assist in the design, implementation, and timely calculations of wage incentives, commissions, and salaries for the staff.

Oversee Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable and ensure a disaster recovery plan is in place.

Oversee business insurance plans.

Oversee the maintenance of the inventory of all fixed assets, including assets purchased with government funds (computers, etc.) assuring all are in accordance with federal regulations.

Other projects as may be assigned from time-to-time by the CEO and Board of Directors.

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit B

 

CONFIDENTIALITY
AND ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTIONS AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated for reference the __th day of July, 2019 (the “Effective Date”).

 

BETWEEN:

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC., a company incorporated
under the laws of British Columbia (the “Company”), with offices at Suite 340, 200 Granville St., Vancouver, B.C.V6C 1S4

 

AND:

 

Bruce S. Colwill (the “Executive”), of 1716 West King Edward Ave., Vancouver, B.C., V6J 2V9

 

WHEREAS:

 

A.       The Company is a pre-clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that specializes in developing therapies through the research and development of novel, cannabinoid-based therapies combined with innovative drug delivery systems;

 

B.       In connection with the employment of the Executive by the Company, the parties desire to establish the terms and conditions under which the Executive will (i) receive from and disclose to the Company proprietary and confidential information; (ii) agree to keep the information confidential, to protect it from disclosure and to use it only in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and (iii) assign to the Company all rights, including any ownership interest which may arise in all inventions and intellectual property developed or disclosed by the Executive over the course of his work during his employment with the Company, as set out in this Agreement.

 

NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that in consideration of the employment of the Executive by the Company and the payment by the Company to the Executive of the sum of $10.00 and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

 

 

2

 

1. INTERPRETATION

 

1.1 Definitions. In this Agreement:

 

(a) Affiliate” means, in respect of the Company, a company or other entity which directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company. For the purposes of this definition, “control” means direct or indirect beneficial ownership of a greater than 50% interest in the income of such company or entity or such other relationship as, in fact, constitutes actual control.

 

(b) Business” or “Business of the Company” means:

 

(i) researching, developing, commercializing, producing and marketing novel, cannabinoid-based therapies combined with innovative drug delivery systems; or

 

(ii) any other area in which the Company has an active research and development program on the date the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates and in connection with which the Executive directly provided service or had direct supervisory responsibilities.

 

(c) Confidential Information” shall mean all information, knowledge, or data, whether in written, oral, electronic or other form, relating to the Business of the Company, whether or not conceived, originated, discovered or developed in whole or in part by the Executive, that is not generally known to the public or to other persons who are not bound by obligations of confidentiality and:

 

(i) from which the Company or its Affiliates derive economic value, actual or potential, from the information not being generally known; or

 

(ii) in respect of which the Company or its Affiliates otherwise have a legitimate interest in maintaining secrecy;

 

and which, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall include:

 

(iii) all proprietary information licensed to, acquired, used or developed by the Company and its Affiliates in its research and development activities (including but not restricted to the research and development of RNA interference drugs and delivery technology), other scientific strategies and concepts, designs, know-how, information, material, formulas, processes, research data and proprietary rights in the nature of copyrights, patents, trademarks, licenses and industrial designs;

 

(iv) all information relating to the Business of the Company, and to all other aspects of the structure, personnel and operations of the Company and its Affiliates, including financial, clinical, regulatory, marketing, advertising and commercial information and strategies, customer lists, compilations, agreements and contractual records and correspondence; programs, devices,

 

 

3

 

    concepts, inventions, designs, methods, processes, data, know-how, unique combinations of separate items that is not generally known and items provided or disclosed to the Company or its Affiliates by third parties subject to restrictions on use or disclosure;

 

(v) all know-how relating to the Business of the Company, including all biological, chemical, pharmacological, toxicological, pharmaceutical, physical and analytical, clinical, safety, manufacturing and quality control data and information, and all applications, registrations, licenses, authorizations, approvals and correspondence submitted to regulatory authorities;

 

(vi) all information relating to the businesses of competitors of the Company or its Affiliates, including information relating to competitors’ research and development, intellectual property, operations, financial, clinical, regulatory, marketing, advertising and commercial strategies, that is not generally known;

 

(vii) all information provided to the Company or its Affiliates by their agents, consultants, lawyers, contractors, licensors or licensees and relating to the Business of the Company; and

 

(viii) all information relating to the Executive’s compensation and benefits, including his salary, vacation, stock options, perquisites, severance notice, rights on termination and all other compensation and benefits, except that he shall be entitled to disclose such information to his bankers, advisors, agents, consultants and other third parties who have a duty of confidence to him and who have a need to know such information in order to provide advice, products or services to him.

 

All Work Product shall be deemed to be the Company’s Confidential Information.

 

(d) Intellectual Property” is used in its broadest sense and means and includes any statutory, common law, equitable, contractual or proprietary rights or interests, recognized currently or in future, in and to any Inventions, including, without limitation, rights and interests in and to the following:

 

(i) knowledge, know-how and its embodiments, including trade secret information;

 

(ii) patents in inventions, and all applications therefor;

 

(iii) copyrights in artistic, literary, dramatic, musical, and neighbouring works, copyrightable works of authorship including technical descriptions for products, user guides, illustrations, advertising materials, computer programs, source code and object code, and all applications therefor;

 

 

4

 

(iv) trademarks, service marks, tradenames, business names and domain names and all applications therefor;

 

(v) industrial designs and all other industrial or intellectual property and all applications therefor; and

 

(vi) all goodwill connected with the foregoing.

 

(e) Inventions” shall mean any and all inventions, discoveries, developments, enhancements, improvements, concepts, formulas, designs, processes, ideas, writings and other works, whether or not reduced to practice, and whether or not protectable under patent, copyright, trade secret or similar laws.

 

(f) Work Product” shall mean any and all Inventions and possible Inventions relating to the Business of the Company and which the Executive may make or conceive, alone or jointly with others, during his involvement in any capacity with the Company, whether during or outside his regular working hours, except those Inventions made or conceived by the Executive entirely on his own time that do not relate to the Business of the Company and do not derive from any equipment, supplies, facilities, Confidential Information or other information, gained, directly or indirectly, from or through his involvement in any capacity with the Company.

 

2. CONFIDENTIALITY

 

2.1                         Prior Business Confidential Information. The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that the Executive has not brought or used, and the Executive covenants and agrees that the Executive will not use or bring to the Company any confidential information of any kind whatsoever of any prior party (the “Prior Business”) with whom the Executive was previously involved, whether such involvement was as an employee, director or officer of that Prior Business, an investor in that Prior Business, a partner in that Prior Business, a consultant to that Prior Business or other relationship to that Prior Business (the “Prior Involvement”). The Company and the Executive acknowledge and agree that the Company is not employing the Executive to obtain confidential information relating to any Prior Involvement and the Executive acknowledges that the Company has advised the Executive to comply with any and all legal obligations the Executive may have to such Prior Business. The Executive covenants and agrees to hold the Company harmless from any and all claims and damages of any kind whatsoever that the Company may suffer as a result of any breach by the Executive of his obligations to such Prior Business in that regard.

 

2.2                          Basic Obligation of Confidentiality. The Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that in the course of his involvement with the Company, the Company may disclose to him or he may otherwise have access or be exposed to Confidential Information. The Company hereby agrees to provide such access to the Executive and the Executive hereby agrees to receive and hold all Confidential Information on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement. Except as otherwise set out in this Agreement, the Executive will keep strictly confidential all Confidential Information and all other information belonging to the Company that he acquires, observes or is

 

 

5

 

informed of, directly or indirectly, in connection with his involvement, in any capacity, with the Company both during and after the term of his employment in any capacity with the Company.

 

2.3                         Fiduciary Capacity. The Executive will be and act toward the Company and its Affiliates as a fiduciary in respect of the Confidential Information.

 

2.4                         Non-disclosure. Except with the prior written consent of the Company, the Executive will not at any time, either during or after he involvement in any capacity with the Company;

 

(a) use or copy any Confidential Information or recollections thereof for any purpose other than the performance of his duties for the benefit of the Company and its Affiliates;

 

(b) publish or disclose any Confidential Information or recollections thereof to any person other than to employees of the Company and its Affiliates who have a need to know such Confidential Information in the performance of their duties for the Company or its Affiliates;

 

(c) permit or cause any Confidential Information to be used, copied, published, disclosed, translated or adapted except as otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement; or

 

(d) permit or cause any Confidential Information to be stored off the premises of the Company, including permitting or causing such Confidential Information to be stored in electronic format on personal computers, except in accordance with written procedures of the Company, as amended from time to time in writing.

 

2.5                          Taking Precautions. The Executive will take all reasonable precautions necessary or prudent to prevent material in his possession or control that contains or refers to Confidential Information from being discovered, used or copied by third parties.

 

2.6                         The Company’s Ownership of Confidential Information. As between the Executive and the Company, the Company shall own all right, title and interest in and to the Confidential Information, whether or not created or developed by the Executive.

 

2.7                          Control of Confidential Information and Return of Information. All physical materials produced or prepared by the Executive containing Confidential Information, including, without limitation, records, devices, computer files, data, notes, reports, proposals, lists, correspondence, specifications, drawings, plans, materials, accounts, reports, financial statements, estimates and all other materials prepared in the course of his responsibilities to or for the benefit of the Company or its Affiliates, together with all copies thereof (in whatever medium recorded), shall belong to the Company, and the Executive will promptly turn over to the Company’s possession every original and copy of any and all such items in his possession or control upon request by the Company. If the material is such that it cannot reasonably be delivered, upon request from the Company, the Executive will provide reasonable evidence that such materials have been destroyed, purged or erased.

 

 

6

 

2.8                          Purpose of Use. The Executive agrees that he will use Confidential Information only for purposes authorized or directed by the Company.

 

2.9                          Exemptions. The obligations of confidentiality set out in this Article 2 will not apply to any of the following:

 

(a) information that is already known to the Executive, though not due to a prior disclosure by the Company or its Affiliates or by a person who obtained knowledge of the information, directly or indirectly, from the Company or its Affiliates;

 

(b) information disclosed to the Executive by another person who is not obliged to maintain the confidentiality of that information and who did not obtain knowledge of the information, directly or indirectly, from the Company or its Affiliates;

 

(c) information that is developed by the Executive independently of Confidential Information received from the Company or its Affiliates and such independent development can be documented by the Executive;

 

(d) other particular information or material which the Company expressly exempts by written instrument signed by the Company;

 

(e) information or material that is in the public domain through no fault of the Executive; and

 

(f) information required by operation of law, court order or government agency to be disclosed, provided that:

 

(i) in the event that the Executive is required to disclose such information or material, upon becoming aware of the obligation to disclose, unless prohibited by law the Executive will provide to the Company prompt written notice so that the Company may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance with the provisions of this Agreement;

 

(ii) if the Company agrees that the disclosure is required by law, it will promptly give the Executive written authorization to disclose the information for the required purposes only;

 

(iii) if the Company promptly informs the Executive that the Company does not agree that the disclosure is required by law, this Agreement will continue to apply, except to the extent that a Court of competent jurisdiction orders otherwise; and

 

(iv) if a protective order or other remedy is not obtained or if compliance with this Agreement is waived, the Executive will furnish only that portion of the Confidential Information that is legally required and will exercise all reasonable efforts to obtain confidential treatment of such Confidential Information.

 

 

7

 

3. ASSIGNMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

 

3.1                         Notice of Invention. The Executive agrees to promptly and fully inform the Company of all Work Product, whether or not patentable, throughout the course of his involvement, in any capacity, with the Company and from which there is a reasonable basis to believe that Intellectual Property may be derived therefrom, whether or not developed before or after execution of this Agreement. On his ceasing to be employed by the Company for any reason whatsoever, the Executive will immediately deliver up to the Company all Work Product.

 

3.2                          Assignment of Rights. Subject only to the exceptions set out in Attachment 1 attached to this Agreement, the Executive will assign, and does hereby assign, to the Company or, at the option of the Company and upon notice from the Company, to the Company’s designee, all of his right, title and interest in and to all Work Product, including all Intellectual Property rights therein. To the extent that the Executive retains or acquires legal title to any such Intellectual Property rights and interests, the Executive hereby declares and confirms that such legal title is and will be held by him only as trustee and agent for the Company or the Company’s designee. The Executive agrees that the Company’s rights hereunder shall attach to all Intellectual Property rights in his Work Product, notwithstanding that it may be perfected or reduced to specific form after he has terminated his relationship with the Company. The Executive further agrees that the Company’s rights hereunder are worldwide rights and are not limited to Canada, but shall extend to every country of the world.

 

3.3                          Moral Rights. Without limiting the foregoing, the Executive hereby irrevocably waives any and all moral rights arising under the Copyright Act (Canada), as amended, or any successor legislation of similar force and effect or similar legislation in other applicable jurisdictions or at common law that he may have with respect to all Work Product, and agrees never to assert any moral rights which he may have in the Work Product, including, without limitation, the right to the integrity of the Work Product, the right to be associated with the Work Product, the right to restrain or claim damages for any distortion, mutilation or other modification or enhancement of the Work Product and the right to restrain the use or reproduction of the Work Product in any context and in connection with any product, service, cause or institution, and the Executive further confirms that the Company may use or alter any Work Product as the Company sees fits in its absolute discretion.

 

3.4                         Goodwill. The Executive hereby agrees that all goodwill he has established or may establish with clients, customers, suppliers, principals, shareholders, investors, collaborators, strategic partners, licensees, contacts or prospects of the Company relating to the Business of the Company (or of its partners, subsidiaries or affiliates), both before and after the Effective Date, shall, as between the Executive and the Company, be and remain the property of the Company exclusively, for the Company to use, alter, vary, adapt and exploit as the Company shall determine in its discretion.

 

3.5                         Assistance. The Executive hereby agrees to reasonably assist the Company, at the Company’s request and expense, in:

 

(a) making patent applications for all Work Product, including instructions to lawyers and/or patent agents as to the characteristics of the Work Product in sufficient detail

 

 

8

 

    to enable the preparation of a suitable patent specification, to execute all formal documentation incidental to an application for letters patent and to execute assignment documents in favour of the Company for such applications;

 

(b) making applications for all other forms of Intellectual Property registration relating to all Work Product;

 

(c) prosecuting and maintaining the patent applications and other Intellectual Property relating to all Work Product; and

 

(d) registering, maintaining and enforcing the patents and other Intellectual Property registrations relating to all Work Product.

 

If the Company is unable for any reason to secure the Executive’s signature with respect to any Work Product including, without limitation, to apply for or to pursue any application for any patents or copyright registrations covering such Work Product, then the Executive hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as his agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and in his behalf and stead to execute and file any papers, oaths and to do all other lawfully permitted acts with respect to such Work Product with the same legal force and effect as if executed by him.

 

3.6                          Assistance with Proceedings. The Executive further agrees to reasonably assist the Company, at the Company’s request and expense, in connection with any defence to an allegation of infringement of another person’s intellectual property rights, claim of invalidity of another person’s intellectual property rights, opposition to, or intervention regarding, an application for letters patent, copyright or trademark or other proceedings relating to Intellectual Property or applications for registration thereof.

 

3.7                         Commercialization. The Executive understands that the decision whether or not to commercialize or market any Work Product is within the Company’s sole discretion and for the Company’s sole benefit and that no royalty or other consideration will be due or payable to him as a result of the Company’s efforts to commercialize or market any such Work Product.

 

3.8                         Prior Business Intellectual Property. The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that he has not brought or used, and the Executive covenants and agrees that he will not use or bring to the Company any Intellectual Property of any kind whatsoever of any Prior Business with whom the Executive had a Prior Involvement or any Intellectual Property directly owned by the Executive. The Company and the Executive acknowledge and agree that the Company is not employing the Executive to obtain Intellectual Property relating to any Prior Involvement and the Executive acknowledges that the Company has advised the Executive to comply with any legal obligations the Executive may have to such Prior Business. The Executive covenants and agrees to hold the Company harmless from any and all claims and damages of any kind whatsoever that the Company may suffer as a result any breach by the Executive of his obligations to such Prior Business in that regard.

 

3.9                          Prior Inventions. In order to have them excluded from this Agreement, the Executive has set forth on Attachment 1 attached to this Agreement a complete list of all Inventions for which a patent application has not yet been filed that he has, alone or jointly with

 

 

9

 

others, conceived, developed or reduced to practice prior to the execution of this Agreement to which he has any right, title or interest, and which relate to the Business of the Company. If such list is blank or no such list is attached, the Executive represents and warrants that there are no such prior Inventions.

 

4. General

 

4.1                          Term. Subject to Section 4.10, the term of this Agreement is from the Effective Date and terminates on the date that the Executive is no longer working at or for the Company in any capacity.

 

4.2                          No Conflicting Obligations. The Executive hereby represents and warrants that he has no agreements with or obligations to any other person with respect to the matters covered by this Agreement or concerning the Confidential Information that are in conflict with anything in this Agreement, except as disclosed in Attachment 1 attached to this Agreement.

 

4.3                          Publicity. The Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, make or give any public announcements, press releases or statements to the public or the press regarding any Work Product or any Confidential Information.

 

4.4                         Further Assurances. The parties will execute and deliver to each other such further instruments and assurances and do such further acts as may be required to give effect to this Agreement.

 

4.5                          Notices. All notices and other communications that are required or permitted by this Agreement must be in writing and shall be hand delivered or sent by express delivery service or certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, or by facsimile transmission (with receipt confirmed in writing) to the parties at the addresses on page 1 of this Agreement. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been received on the earlier of the date actually received or the date five (5) days after the same was posted or sent. Either party may change its address or its facsimile number by giving the other party written notice, delivered in accordance with this section.

 

4.6                          Equitable Remedies. The Executive understands and acknowledges that if he breaches any of his obligations under this Agreement, that breach may give rise to irreparable injury to the Company for which damages are an inadequate remedy. In the event of any such breach by the Executive, in addition to all other remedies available to the Company at law or in equity, the Company will be entitled as a matter of right to apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for such relief by way of restraining order, injunction, decree or otherwise, as may be appropriate to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

4.7                          Non-Waiver. Failure on the part of either party to complain of any act or failure to act of the other of them or to declare the other party in default of this Agreement, irrespective of how long such failure continues, will not constitute a waiver by such party of their rights hereunder or of the right to then or subsequently declare a default.

 

4.8                          Severability. In the event that any provision or part of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable in whole or in part, the remaining provisions, or parts thereof, will be and remain in full force and effect.

 

 

10

 

4.9                            Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all agreements, understandings, warranties or representations of any kind, written or oral, express or implied, including any relating to the nature of the position or its duration, and each of the parties releases and forever discharges the other of and from all manner of actions, causes of action, claim or demands whatsoever under or in respect of any agreement. For greater certainty, this Agreement supersedes the Mutual Confidentiality Agreement dated with effect from 4 June 2019.

 

4.10                          Survival. Notwithstanding the expiration or early termination of this Agreement, the provisions of Article 1, Article 2 (including the obligations of confidentiality and to return Confidential Information, which shall endure, with respect to each item of Confidential Information, for so long as those items fall within the definition of Confidential Information), Sections 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 and 3.8 and Article 4 shall survive any expiration or early termination of this Agreement.

 

4.11                         Modification of Agreement. Any modification of this Agreement must be in writing and signed by both the Company and the Executive or it will have no effect and will be void.

 

4.12                          Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed according to the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada.

 

4.13                          Independent Legal Advice. The Executive agrees that he has obtained or has had an opportunity to obtain independent legal advice in connection with this Agreement, and further acknowledge that he has read, understands, and agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions contained herein.

 

REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

 

11

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date and year first above written.

 

  )  
SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED )  
by Bruce Colwill in the presence of: )  
  )  
     
Witness Signature ) Bruce Colwill
  )  
Witness Name )  
  )  
Witness Address )  
  )  
  )  
  )  
Witness Occupation )  

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
     
     
Per:    
  Eric A. Adams  
  President and CEO  

 

 

12

 

Attachment 1
to Confidentiality and Assignment of Inventions Agreement

 

EXCLUSIONS FROM WORK PRODUCT

 

NIL

 

 

 

 

Exhibit C

 

GENERAL RELEASE LANGUAGE

 

The Executive agrees, for himself, his spouse, heirs, executor or administrator, assigns, insurers, attorneys, and other persons or entities acting or purporting to act on his behalf (the “Executive’s Parties”), to irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit, and forever discharge the Company, its affiliates, subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, agents, representatives, predecessors, successors, assigns, insurers, attorneys, benefit plans sponsored by the Company, and said plans’ fiduciaries, agents and trustees (the “Company’s Parties”), from any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims, obligations, liabilities, debts, demands, contentions, damages, judgments, levies, and executions of any kind, whether in law or in equity, known or unknown, which the Executive’s Parties have, have had, or may in the future claim to have against the Company’s Parties by reason of, arising out of, related to, or resulting from the Executive’s employment with the Company or the termination of that employment. This release specifically includes without limitation any claims arising in tort or contract, any claim based on wrongful discharge, any claim based on breach of contract, any claim arising under federal, state or local law prohibiting race, sex, age, religion, national origin, handicap, disability, or other forms of discrimination, any claim arising under federal, state, or local law concerning employment practices, and any claim relating to compensation or benefits. It is understood and agreed that the waiver of benefits and claims contained in this section does not include a waiver of the right to payment of any vested, non-forfeitable benefits to which the Executive or a beneficiary of the Executive may be entitled under the terms and provisions of any employee benefit plan of the company which have accrued as of the Date of Termination, and does not include a waiver of the right to benefits and payment of consideration to which the Executive may be entitled under this Agreement or any of the agreements contemplated by this Agreement (including the indemnification agreement and the stock option agreement). The Executive acknowledges that he is entitled to only the severance benefits and compensation set forth in this Agreement, and that all other claims for any other benefits or compensation are hereby waived, except those expressly stated in the preceding sentence.

 

The Executive hereby acknowledges his understanding that under this Agreement he is releasing any known or unknown claims he may have.

 

The Executive expressly waives and relinquishes all rights and benefits under that section and any law of any jurisdiction of similar effect with respect to his release of claims.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

EXISTING CONFLICTS

 

None.

 

 

 

[*] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED BECAUSE IT IS BOTH (i) NOT MATERIAL AND (ii) WOULD BE COMPETITIVELY HARMFUL IF PUBLICLY DISCLOSED.

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.8

 

 

815 WEST HASTINGS STREET - OFFICE LEASE

 

INDEX

 

ARTICLE 1 - INTERPRETATION ARTICLE 10 - TAXES
Section 1.01 Definitions Section 10.01 Taxes Payable by the Landlord
Section 1.02 Schedules Section 10.02 Taxes Payable by the Tenant
Section 1.03 Extended Meanings Section 10.03 Business Taxes and Other Taxes of the Tenant
Section 1.04 Headings and Captions Section 10.04 Postponement
Section 1.05 Obligations as Covenants Section 10.05 Tenant to Deliver Receipts
Section 1.06 Entire Agreement Section 10.06 Assessment Appeals
Section 1.07 Governing Law    
Section 1.08 Severability ARTICLE 11 - ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING
Section 1.09 Successors and Assigns    
Section 1.10 Time of the Essence Section 11.01 Permitted Occupants
Section 1.11 Confidential Nature of Lease Section 11.02 Assignment or Subletting
Section 1.12 Tenant Partnership Section 11.03 Change in Control
    Section 11.04 Surrender
ARTICLE 2 - DEMISE Section 11.05 Continuing Obligations
    Section 11.06 Assignment by Landlord
Section 2.01 Leased Premises    
       
ARTICLE 3 - TERM ARTICLE 12 - STATUS CERTIFICATES, ATTORNMENT AND SUBORDINATION
Section 3.01 Term    
Section 3.02 Overholding Section 12.01 Status Certificates
    Section 12.02 Subordination and Attornment
ARTICLE 4 - RENT Section 12.03 Attorney
       
    ARTICLE 13 - LIMITATION OF LIABILITIES
Section 4.01 Basic Rent    
Section 4.02 Additional Rent Section 13.01 Unavoidable Delay
Section 4.03 Determination of Rentable Area Section 13.02 Waiver
Section 4.04 Payment of Tenant's Proportionate Share Section 13.03 No Claim for Inconvenience
Section 4.05 Accrual of Rent Section 13.04 Indemnity by Tenant
Section 4.06 Currency and Place of Payment Section 13.05 Acceptance of Leased Premises
Section 4.07 Additional Rent Treated as Rent    
Section 4.08 Interest on Amounts in Default ARTICLE 14 - ACCESS
Section 4.09 Net Lease to Landlord    
    Section 14.01 Entry by Landlord
    Section 14.02 Exhibiting Leased Premises
ARTICLE 5 - GENERAL COVENANTS    
    ARTICLE 15 - ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS
Section 5.01 Landlord's Covenants    
Section 5.02 Tenant's Covenants Section 15.01 Landlord's Alterations, etc.
    Section 15.02 Tenant's Alterations
ARTICLE 6 - BUILDING SERVICES, COMMON AREAS, UTILITIES Section 15.03 Liens
     
    ARTICLE 16 - REMEDIES OF LANDLORD ON TENANT'S DEFAULT
Section 6.01 Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning    
Section 6.02 Common Area    
Section 6.03 Janitorial Services Section 16.01 Remedying by Landlord, Non-Payment and Interest
Section 6.04 Utilities    
    Section 16.02 Right to Re-Enter
ARTICLE 7 - USE AND OCCUPANCY OF LEASED PREMISES Section 16.03 Bankruptcy of Tenant
    Section 16.04 Right to Terminate
Section 7.01 Use Section 16.05 Right to Re-Let
Section 7.02 Nuisance Section 16.06 Remedies Cumulative
Section 7.03 Compliance with Laws Section 16.07 Waiver of Exemption from Distress
Section 7.04 Compliance with Rules and Regulations Section 16.08 Removal of Chattels
Section 7.05 Signs and Advertising    
Section 7.06 Disfiguration, Overloading, etc.    
Section 7.07 Energy Conservation ARTICLE 17 - ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
Section 7.08 Remedial Action Section 17.01  Restriction on Contaminants
Section 7.09 Glass Section 17.02 Compliance with Environmental Laws
    Section 17.03 Access by Landlord
ARTICLE 8 - INSURANCE Section 17.04 Notice to Landlord
    Section 17.05 Removal of Contaminants
Section 8.01 Tenant's Insurance Section 17.06 Ownership of Contaminants
Section 8.02 Form of Policies Section 17.07 Indemnity
Section 8.03 Release of Landlord Section 17.08 Survival of Tenant's Obligations
Section 8.04 Landlord's Insurance    
Section 8.05 Insurance Risks    
    ARTICLE 18 - MISCELLANEOUS
       
ARTICLE 9 - REPAIR AND DAMAGE Section 18.01 Notices
    Section 18.02 Registration of Lease
Section 9.01 Landlord's Obligations Section 18.03 Acceptance
Section 9.02 Tenant's Obligations    
Section 9.03 Tenant's Liability SCHEDULES A & A1 -Plan of Leased Premises
Section 9.04 Damage - Landlord's Liability SCHEDULE B - Plan of 815 West Hastings Street Development
Section 9.05 Abatement and Termination SCHEDULE C - Rules and Regulations
    SCHEDULE D - Special Provisions

 

 

 

 

   
 

 

[*] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED BECAUSE IT IS BOTH (i) NOT MATERIAL AND (ii) WOULD BE COMPETITIVELY HARMFUL IF PUBLICLY DISCLOSED.

 

 

 

 

 

OFFICE PREMISES LEASE

 

THIS LEASE made the 14th day of January, 2019.

 

PURSUANT TO THE "LAND TRANSFER FORM ACT, PART 2"

 

BETWEEN:

 

815 WEST HASTINGS LTD., a corporation pursuant to the Laws of the Province of British Columbia under BC0894401, with an office in the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia (hereinafter called "the Landlord")

 

OF THE FIRST PART

 

AND:

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC., a company in the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia (thereinafter called "the Tenant")

 

OF THE SECOND PART

 

WITNESS that whereas the Landlord has agreed to lease to the Tenant and the Tenant has agreed to lease from the Landlord the Leased Premises (as hereinafter defined) forming part of the Development (as hereinafter defined) municipally known as 815 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia:

 

NOW THEREFORE in consideration of the rents, covenants, and agreements hereinafter contained, the Parties agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1

INTERPRETATION

 

Section 1.01 - Definitions

 

In this Lease, unless there is something in the subject matter or context inconsistent therewith:

 

"Additional Rent" means all amounts in addition to Basic Rent payable by the Tenant to the Landlord pursuant to any provision of this Lease;

 

"Administrative Charge” means, whenever the Landlord performs work or supplies services pursuant to this Lease, or causes the same to be performed or supplied, which is or are the responsibility of the Tenant, or for which expense the Tenant is responsible, in addition to the amount otherwise payable to the Landlord in respect thereof pursuant to this Lease, a charge equal to fifteen percent (15%) of all costs, fees and expenses incurred by the Landlord in connection therewith.

 

"Architect" means the architect designated from time to time by the Landlord;

 

"Basic Rent" means the rent specified in Section 4.01;

 

"Business Day" means any day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or a holiday (as defined in the Interpretation Act of British Columbia);

 

"Business Hours" means the period from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on any Business Day;

 

"Business Taxes" means all taxes and licence fees in respect of any business carried on by the Tenant or other occupants of the Leased Premises;

 

"Corporation Capital Tax" means the applicable amount (as hereinafter defined) of any tax or taxes payable by the Landlord under the Corporation Capital Tax Act or other legislation of British Columbia or the amount of any other capital or place of business tax levied by the provincial government or other applicable taxing authority against the Landlord with respect to the Development, or any part thereof, whether known as capital tax or by any other name; provided that for the purpose of this definition the phrase "applicable amount" of such tax shall mean the amount thereof that would be payable if the Development were the only establishment of the Landlord in British Columbia and any other establishments of the Landlord therein were located outside British Columbia;

 

"Common Area" means those portions of the Development designated from time to time by the Landlord for the common use and enjoyment of all the tenants of the Development and their respective agents, invitees, servants, employees and licensees and includes, without limitation, the public entrance doors, halls, loading areas, public lobbies and elevators;

 

"Contaminants" means any explosives, radioactive materials, asbestos materials, urea formaldehyde, chlorobiphenyls, hydrocarbon contaminants, underground tanks, pollutants, contaminants, hazardous, corrosive or toxic substances, special waste or waste of any kind or any other substance the storage, manufacture, disposal, treatment, generation, use, transport, remediation or release into the environment of which is prohibited, controlled, regulated or licensed under Environmental Laws;

 

"Contaminant Dealings" means the sale, storage, manufacture, disposal, treatment, generation, use, transport, remediation release into the environment of, or any other dealing with, any Contaminants;

 

"Development" means the multi-storey office building and related parking and storage facilities located on, and including, the Lands together with any other buildings, structures or improvements erected thereon from time to time;

 

"Eligible Corporation" means a corporation which controls or is controlled by or under common control with the Tenant, control meaning the direct or indirect beneficial ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the shares of a corporation which may be voted at any meeting held for the purpose of the election of Directors of that corporation;

 

"Environmental Laws" means any and all statutes, laws, regulations, orders, bylaws and other lawful requirements of any federal, provincial, municipal or other governmental authority having jurisdiction over the Premises now or hereafter in force with respect in any way to the environment, health, occupational health and safety, product liability or transportation of dangerous goods, including all applicable guidelines, rules, permit requirements, criteria, policies and standards with respect to the foregoing as adopted by any governmental authority from time to time;

 

   
 

 

"Goods and Services Tax" means the tax levied and contained in Part IX to the Excise Tax Act (Canada) and in consequential amendments to other federal statutes, as amended from time to time and any other taxes, fees, levies, charges, assessments, duties and excises (whether characterized as sales tax, purchase tax, value-added tax, goods and services tax or any other form) which are imposed on the Landlord or which the Landlord is liable to pay, and which are levied, rated, or assessed by the governmental authority whatsoever on the act of entering into this Lease or otherwise on account of this Lease, or on the use or occupancy of the Leased Premises or any portion thereof, or on the Rent or any portion thereof, or in connection with the business of renting the Leased Premises or any portion thereof, but excluding taxes and income tax under Part 1 of the Income Tax Act of Canada as at the date of this Lease;

 

"Indemnifier" means the person who has executed or agreed to execute the Indemnity Agreement which is attached to this Lease as schedule "E", if applicable;

 

"Landlord" means the Landlord and its successors and assigns;

 

"Landlord's Income Taxes" means all income or profits taxes upon the income of the Landlord to the extent that such taxes are not levied in lieu of taxes, rates, duties, levies and assessment against the Development or upon the Landlord in respect thereof;

 

"Lands" means those certain lands and premises in the City of Vancouver, British Columbia, being more particularly described as: PID 011-282-177,

Lot B of Lot 6, Block 16, District Lot 541, Group 1, Plan 4903, City of Vancouver.

 

"Lease" means this Lease as from time to time amended or renewed;

 

"Lease Year" means a period of twelve (12) months commencing on the first day of January in each year except that:

 

(i) the first Lease Year begins on the first day of the Term and ends on the last day of the calendar year in which the first day of the Term occurs, and

 

(ii) the last Lease Year of the Term begins on the first day of the calendar year during which the last day of the Term occurs and ends on the last day of the Term,

 

provided that the Landlord may from time to time by written notice to the Tenant specify an annual date upon which each subsequent Lease Year is to commence, in which event the Lease Year which would otherwise be current when such annual date first occurs thereafter shall terminate on the preceding day;

 

"Leased Premises" means the premises in the Development shown outlined in cross hatching on Schedule "A" annexed hereto (excluding therefrom any portion of the exterior face of the Development);

 

"Mortgage" means any mortgage or charge (including a deed of trust and mortgage securing bonds and all indentures supplemental thereto) which may now or hereafter affect the Development;

 

"Mortgagee" means the mortgagee, chargee or trustee for bondholders, as the case may be, named in a Mortgage;

 

"Operating Costs" means the aggregate without duplication, of all costs, expenses, fees, rentals and disbursements of every kind and nature, direct or indirect, incurred, accrued or attributed by or on behalf of the Landlord in the complete maintenance, repair, operation, supervision and management of the Development and, without limitation, shall include:

 

(i) the cost of providing cleaning, janitorial, landscaping, supervisory, maintenance and other services;

 

(ii) the cost of heating, cooling and ventilating the Development and the cost of providing water, electricity and all other utilities and services not payable by a specific tenant of the Development;

 

(iii) the cost of policing and providing security for and supervision of the Development;

 

(iv) the cost of all insurance in respect of the Development maintained by the Landlord, including loss of rentals insurance;

 

(v) the cost of all repairs, maintenance and replacements properly chargeable against income made from time to time by the Landlord, or on its behalf, to the Leased Premises or Common Area and its appurtenances and equipment,;

 

(vi) fees and expenses incurred for legal, accounting and other professional services relating to the Development;

 

(vii) the fair market rental value of space in the Development, as determined by the Landlord from time to time, which would otherwise be rentable but which the Landlord uses in leasing, operating, managing or maintaining the Development;

 

(viii) salaries, wages and fringe benefits of all personnel, including supervisory personnel, employed directly in the maintenance, repair, operation or management of the Development;

 

(ix) amounts paid to independent contractors for any services in connection with the Development and amounts payable for the rental of any equipment, installations or signs;

 

(x) all Taxes, business taxes payable by or on account of other tenants or other businesses on the Development or on any other taxes, if any, from time to time payable for or attributed by the Landlord to the Common Areas or other areas of the Development, and Corporation Capital Tax;

 

(xi) all expenditures for equipment, systems or alterations undertaken primarily to improve the Development, conserve energy, or reduce Operating Costs unless the Landlord elects to depreciate or amortize such expenditures and thus includes them in the costs referred to in subparagraph (xii) below;

 

(xii) depreciation or amortization of (a) the cost of all plant, equipment, fixtures, furnishings and artwork forming part of the Common Areas or otherwise serving the Development; (b) expenditures for equipment, systems or alterations undertaken primarily to improve the Development, conserve energy or reduce Operating Costs unless they are, pursuant to subparagraph (xi) above, charged fully in the Lease Year in which they are incurred in accordance with sound accounting principles; and (c) the costs incurred after the date of commencement of the Term for repairing or replacing all fixtures, equipment and facilities comprising the Common Areas or serving the Development (including all fixtures and equipment used for heating, ventilating and air conditioning the Development) and portions of the Development (including leasable premises) which consist of foundations, exterior weather walls, structural subfloors and roofs, the structural portions of bearing walls and structural columns and beams unless they are pursuant to subparagraph (v) above, charged fully in the Lease Year in which they are incurred in accordance with sound accounting principles; in each case together with interest thereon at a rate equal to one Percent (1%) above the interest rate from time to time charged to the Landlord by its chartered bank at the beginning of each Lease year on the undepreciated capital cost of all such items being depreciated from time to time;

 

   
 

 

 

(xiii) an administrative and supervisory fee equal to three percent (3%) of the gross collections of all amounts (including amounts of the nature of Additional Rent) from all tenants or occupants of the Development;

 

(xiv) a reasonable amount, as determined by the Landlord from time to time, of costs incurred by or on behalf of tenants on the Lands with whom the Landlord may have agreements whereby in respect of their premises those tenants perform any cleaning, maintenance, or other work or services which, if directly incurred by the Landlord, would have been included in Operating Costs; and

 

(xv) Goods and Services Tax, Social Services Taxes, Use and Excise Taxes on goods and services purchased by the Landlord;

 

but shall exclude:

 

(A) debt service payable upon the Landlord's financing of the Development;

 

(B) any rental payments payable by the Landlord pursuant to any lease of the Lands; and

 

(C) costs determined by the Landlord from time to time to be fairly allocable to the correction of construction faults;

 

and there shall be deducted from Operating Costs net proceeds received by the Landlord from its insurance policies to the extent that such proceeds relate to costs and expenses included in the Operating Costs;

 

and in computing Operating Cost, if less than 100% of the Rentable Area of the Development is occupied during any period for which a computation must be made, the amount of Operating Cost will be increased by the amount of the additional costs determined by the Landlord, acting reasonably, that would have been incurred had 100% of the Rentable Area of the Development been completed or occupied during that period provided that in no event will Operating Cost increase by more than 10% from any previous year because of such calculation.

 

"Rent" means Basic Rent and Additional Rent;

 

"Rentable Area" means an area, expressed in square feet, made pursuant to Section 4.03;

 

"Taxes" means all taxes rates, duties, levies, fees, charges, sewer levies, local improvement rates, and assessments whatsoever, imposed, assessed, levied, rated or charged against the Development or any part thereof from time to time by any lawful taxing authority whether school, municipal, regional, provincial, federal, parliamentary or otherwise and any taxes or other amounts which are imposed in lieu of, or in addition to, any of the foregoing whether or not in existence at the commencement of the Term and whether of the foregoing character or not and any such taxes levied against the Landlord on account of its ownership of the Development or its interest therein but excluding Landlord's Income Taxes;

 

"Tenant" means the Tenant and its successors, assigns and legal representatives, as limited by this Lease;

 

"Tenant's Proportionate Share" means a number the numerator of which is the Rentable Area of the Leased Premises, and the denominator of which is the Rentable Area of the Development less the areas, if any, occupied by the Landlord or its agents or contractors in order to maintain, repair, operate, manage and supervise the Development; and less the Rentable Area of the Development which is not leased at the time of the calculation, but in no event shall such area exceed three percent (3%) of the Rentable Area of the Development;

 

"Term" means the term of this Lease as specified in Section 3.01;

 

"Unavoidable Delay" means any cause beyond the control of the Party affected thereby which prevents the performance by such Party of any obligation hereunder and not caused by its default or act of commission or omission and not avoidable by the exercise of reasonable effort or foresight by such Party, excluding financial inability, but including, without limitation strikes, lockouts, or other labour or industrial disturbances, civil disturbance, acts, order, legislation, regulations or directives of any government or other public authorities, acts of the public enemy, war, riot, sabotage, blockage, embargo, shortage of materials and supplies, shortage of labour, lightning, earthquake, fire, storm, hurricane, flood, washout, explosion, act of God, and delays caused by any other Party hereto other than the Party relying upon such unavoidable delay.

 

Section 1.02 - Schedules

 

The following Schedules of this Lease constitute part of this Lease

 

Schedule "A" - Plan of Leased Premises

Schedule "B" - Plan of 815 West Hastings Street Development

Schedule "C" - Rules and Regulations

Schedule "D" - Special Provisions

 

Provided however, in the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of this Lease and any Schedule, the terms and conditions of this Lease shall govern.

 

Section 1.03 - Extended Meanings

 

The words "hereof", "herein", "hereunder" and similar expressions used in any Section or Subsection of this Lease relate to the whole of this Lease and not to that Section or Subsection only, unless otherwise expressly provided. The use of the neuter singular pronoun to refer to the Landlord or the Tenant is deemed a proper reference even though the Landlord or the Tenant is an individual, a partnership, a corporation or a group of two or more individuals, partnerships or corporations. The necessary grammatical changes required to make the provisions of this Lease apply in the plural sense where there is more than one Landlord or Tenant and to either corporations, associations, partnerships or individuals, males or females, shall in all instances be assumed as though in each case fully expressed. If there is more than one named Tenant the obligations of each named Tenant shall be joint and several.

 

   
 

 

Section 1.04 - Headings and Captions

 

The Table of Contents, Article numbers, Article headings, Section numbers and Section headings are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered when interpreting this Lease.

 

Section 1.05 - Obligations as Covenants

 

Each obligation of the Landlord or the Tenant expressed in this Lease, even though not expressed as a covenant, shall be a covenant for all purposes.

 

Section 1.06 - Entire Agreement

 

This Lease contains all the representations, warranties, covenants agreements, conditions and understandings between the Landlord and the Tenant concerning the Leased Premises or the subject matter of this Lease and may be amended only by an agreement in writing signed by the Parties hereto.

 

Section 1.07 - Governing Law

 

This Lease shall be interpreted under and is governed by the Laws of the Province of British Columbia.

 

Section 1.08 - Severability

 

If any provision of this Lease is illegal or unenforceable it shall be considered separate and severable from the remaining provisions of this Lease, which shall remain in force and be binding as though the said provision had never been included.

 

Section 1.09 - Successors and Assigns

 

This Lease and everything herein contained shall enure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of the Landlord and the executors and administrators and permitted successors and assigns of the Tenant.

 

Section 1.10 - Time of the Essence

 

Time is of the essence of this Lease and of every part hereof.

 

Section 1.11 - Confidential Nature of Lease

 

The Tenant hereby agrees that this Lease is a confidential document and that it will make no use of this Lease or any provisions hereof or information delivered to the Tenant except in connection with the tenancy created hereunder. The Landlord hereby agrees that it will not use any statements delivered by the Tenant or any Tenant's records inspected by the Landlord hereunder except for the purpose of ascertaining and verifying the amount of rental payable by the Tenant under the terms of this Lease, or except as otherwise may be required by law.

 

Section 1.12 - Tenant Partnership

 

If the Tenant is a partnership (the "Tenant Partnership") each person who is presently a member of the Tenant Partnership, and each person who becomes a member of any successor Tenant partnership hereafter, shall be and continue to be liable jointly and severally for the full and complete performance of, and shall be and continue to be subject to the terms, covenants and conditions of this Lease, whether or not such person ceases to be a member of such Tenant Partnership or successor Tenant Partnership. Each person on becoming a member of the Tenant Partnership, or any successor Tenant Partnership shall enter into such further and other documents as the Landlord may reasonably require for the purpose of this Section 1.12.

 

 

ARTICLE 2

DEMISE

 

Section 2.01 - Leased Premises

 

The Landlord hereby demises and leases the Leased Premises to the Tenant for the Term, upon and subject to the covenants, conditions and agreements herein expressed. The Landlord and Tenant agree that the Rentable Area of the Leased Premises is four thousand four hundred seventy seven (4,477) square feet in suite 310 on the 3rd floor.

 

 

ARTICLE 3

TERM

 

Section 3.01 - Term

 

The Term shall be the period of five (5) years commencing on the 1st day of September, 2019 unless terminated earlier as provided in this Lease and ending on the 31st day August of 2024.

 

Section 3.02 - Overholding

 

If at the expiration of the Term or earlier termination thereof the Tenant remains in possession without any further written agreement, but with the express consent of the Landlord, or in circumstances where a tenancy would thereby be implied by law, the Tenant shall be deemed to be a monthly tenant only, paying a Basic Rent monthly in advance equal to two times the Basic Rent as determined in accordance with Section 4.01 plus the Tenant's Proportionate Share of Operating Costs and Taxes payable in the immediately preceding Lease Year and otherwise upon and subject to the same terms and conditions of this Lease excepting provisions as to length of tenancy and rights of renewal, if any, contained herein. Nothing herein contained shall preclude the Landlord from taking any action to recover possession of the Leased Premises.

 

   
 

 

ARTICLE 4

RENT

 

Section 4.01 - Basic Rent

 

The Tenant shall pay to the Landlord as annual rental for the Leased Premises yearly and every year during the Term, without any deduction, abatement, set-off or compensation whatsoever, the sums as set out below, to be paid on the first day of each month and every calendar year of the Term.

 

Basic Rent Per Sq. Ft. Per Annum Monthly Rate
September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2021 [*] $129,833.00 $10,819.42
September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2023 [*] $134,310.00 $11,192.50
September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024 [*] $143,264.00 $11,938.67

 

If requested by the Landlord from time to time, the Tenant will provide to the Landlord without prejudice to any other right or remedy of the Landlord a series of cheques, post-dated to the respective due dates of payments, for the amounts of the Rent and estimates on account thereof which are periodically payable under this Lease.

 

Section 4.02 - Additional Rent

 

The Tenant shall also pay to the Landlord yearly and every year during the Term the aggregate of the Tenant's Proportionate Share of Operating Costs and Taxes and all other items of Rent or other sums payable by the Tenant hereunder without any deduction, abatement, set-off or compensation whatsoever.

 

Section 4.03 - Determination of Rentable Area

 

The Rentable Area of the Leased Premises and the Rentable Area of the Development shall be determined in the first instance by the Landlord in accordance with the new BOMA Standard Method for Measuring Floor Area in Office Buildings dated June 1996. The Rentable Area of the Leased Premises, the Development or any other component of the Development shall be conclusively deemed to be the area, expressed in square feet, set out in a certificate of the Landlord or Architect.

 

Section 4.04 - Payment of Tenant's Proportionate Share

 

Prior to the commencement of the Term and the commencement of each Lease Year, the Landlord shall notify the Tenant of its estimate of the Tenant's Proportionate Share of Operating Costs and Taxes for the next ensuing Lease Year. The Tenant shall pay such estimated amount in equal monthly instalments in advance on the first day of each month during the Lease Year. From time to time during a Lease Year the Landlord may re-estimate the amount of the Tenant's Proportionate Share of Operating Costs and Taxes and shall fix monthly instalments for the then remaining balance of the Lease Year so that the Tenant's Proportionate Share of Operating Costs and Taxes will have been entirely paid during the Lease Year or before the due date for payment of any such Operating Costs or Taxes. When the necessary information becomes available, the Landlord shall make a final determination of the Tenant's Proportionate Share of Operating Costs and Taxes for each Lease Year, which shall be binding upon both Parties, and shall provide the Tenant with a statement of the Operating Costs and Taxes for the relevant Lease Year. The Landlord and the Tenant shall expeditiously make any necessary re-adjusting payments provided that the Tenant may not claim a re-adjustment based solely upon any error of estimation, determination or calculation unless claimed in writing within one (l) year after the Lease Year to which the claim relates.

 

Whenever, in the Landlord’s opinion, any component of Operating Costs or Taxes relate to only a portion of the Development and the Premises are located within such portion, or to the extent that any component of Operating Costs or Taxes should be attributed or allocated, in the opinion of the Landlord, to the Tenant or to any other tenant or group of tenants, the Landlord may (but shall not be obligated to) attribute or allocate the cost of such component of Operating Costs or Taxes to the Tenant or calculated in relation to the Rentable Area of such portion of the Development alone. In making any such allocation or attribution the Landlord may have regard to such criteria it determines are relevant, including without limitation amongst other things, the various uses of the premises so leased; the location of such individual premises so leased and the probable or apparent use made of various portions of the Development by specific tenants, their contractors, agents, employees, licensees, concessionaires, subtenants, customers and invitees.

 

Whenever the Landlord performs work or supplies services pursuant to this Lease, or causes the same to be performed or supplied, which is or are the responsibility of the Tenant, or for which expense the Tenant is responsible, the Tenant shall pay to the Landlord upon demand, as Additional Rent, in addition to the amount otherwise payable to the Landlord in respect thereof Pursuant to this Lease, an Administrative Charge on all costs, fees and expenses incurred by the Landlord in connection therewith.

 

Section 4.05 - Accrual of Rent

 

Rent shall be considered as accruing from day to day hereunder and where it becomes necessary for any reason to calculate such Rent for an irregular period of less than one (1) year or less than one (l) calendar month, an appropriate apportionment and adjustment shall be made. If the Term commences on any day other than the first day of a month, Rent for such fraction of a month shall be adjusted, as aforesaid, and paid by the Tenant on the commencement date of the Term.

 

Section 4.06 - Currency and Place of Payment

 

All Rent hereunder shall be payable in lawful money of Canada and shall be paid to the Landlord at the Landlord's address for notices as provided in Section 18.01 or to such person at such address as the Landlord may from time to time direct by notice to the Tenant.

 

Section 4.07 - Additional Rent Treated As Rent

 

All Additional Rent whether in the nature of rent or not shall be deemed to be and be treated as Rent and payable and recoverable as Rent, but in the manner as herein provided, and the Landlord shall have all rights against the Tenant for default in any such payment as in the case of arrears of Rent.

 

The Tenant shall pay to the Landlord Goods and Services Tax in accordance with the applicable legislation at the same time as the amounts to which such goods and services tax apply are payable to the Landlord under the terms of this Lease or upon demand at such other time or times as the Landlord from time to time determines. Notwithstanding any other section of this Lease, the amount payable by the Tenant under this clause shall be deemed not to be Rent, but the Landlord shall have the same remedies for and rights of recovery of such amount as it has for recovery of Rent under this Lease.

 

Section 4.08 - Interest on Amounts in Default

 

If the Tenant fails to pay when due any amount of Rent, the unpaid amount will bear interest calculated and payable monthly from the due date to the date of payment at the rate per annum which is five percent (P+5%) above the prime rate from time to time charged by the Landlord's chartered bank for loans in Canadian dollars to its most credit-worthy commercial customers. In addition, the Tenant will pay an administration fee of $25 to the Landlord for any late payment, except in the case of a Tenant’s cheque returned by the bank marked “insufficient funds”, in which case the administration fee shall be $50.

 

 

 

[*] = Certain confidential information contained in this document, marked by brackets, has been omitted because it is both (i) not material and (ii) would be competitively harmful if publicly disclosed.

 

 

 

   
 

 

Section 4.09 - Net Lease to Landlord

 

The Tenant acknowledges and agrees that it is intended that this Lease shall be a completely carefree net lease for the Landlord, except as expressly herein set out, and that the Tenant shall pay, except as herein expressly set out;

 

(a) all costs, charges, expenses and outlays of every kind relating to or affecting the Leased Premises, and
(b) as provided in this Lease its share of all costs, charges, expenses and outlays of every kind relating to or affecting the Leased Premises or Common Areas.

 

ARTICLE 5

GENERAL COVENANTS

 

Section 5.01 - Landlord's Covenants

 

The Landlord covenants with the Tenant:

 

(a) for quiet enjoyment; and
(b) to observe and perform all the covenants and obligations of the Landlord herein; and
(c) that the Tenant, paying the Rent hereby reserved and performing the covenants and obligations on the Tenant's part herein contained, shall and may peacefully possess and enjoy the Leased Premises for the term herein granted without any interruption or disturbance from the Landlord or any other person or persons lawfully claiming by, from or under the Landlord, subject always to the terms, covenants and conditions contained in this Lease.

 

Section 5.02 - Tenant's Covenants

 

The Tenant covenants with the Landlord:

 

(a) to pay Rent; and
(b) to observe and perform all the covenants and obligations of the Tenant herein.

 

 

ARTICLE 6

BUILDING SERVICES, COMMON AREAS, UTILITIES

 

Section 6.01 - Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning

 

The Landlord shall provide processed air in such quantities and at such temperatures as shall maintain in the Leased Premises conditions of reasonable temperatures and comfort during Business Hours. In no event, however, shall the Landlord have any obligation or liability in connection with the cessation, interruption or suspension of the supply of such processed air but the Landlord shall use its reasonable efforts to restore it. The Landlord shall not be responsible for the failure of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment and systems to perform their function if this is attributable to any arrangement of partitioning in the Leased Premises or failure to shade windows which are exposed to the sun, or any use of electrical power by the Tenant which, in the Landlord's opinion, is excessive; and provided further that the Landlord shall not be liable for direct, indirect or consequential damages or damages for personal discomfort or illness of the Tenant, its servants, employees, invitees, clients or customers by reason of the operation or non-operation of such equipment or systems, nor shall there be repayment or reduction of the Rent during any such non-operation. The interior office layout of the Leased Premises shall be modified by the Tenant, if necessary, in accordance with the reasonable requirements of the Landlord to secure maximum efficiency of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems serving the Leased Premises.

 

Section 6.02 - Common Area

 

The Landlord shall operate, maintain and repair the Common Areas in accordance with the standards applicable for comparable office buildings in the City of Vancouver. The Tenants shall be entitled to the use of the Common Areas subject to the rules and regulations referred to in Section 7.04 provided that the Common Areas shall at all times be subject to the exclusive control and management of the Landlord. The Landlord shall be entitled to construct, alter, maintain, operate and police the same, change the area, location and arrangement thereof, and make all rules and regulations pertaining to and necessary for the proper operation and maintenance thereof; provided that in exercising such rights the Landlord shall make reasonable efforts to minimize interference with the Tenant's use of the Leased Premises. The Tenant and all other persons permitted to use the Common Areas shall do so at their sole risk. In no event shall the Landlord be responsible for any interruption in elevator service provided that the Landlord proceeds expeditiously to restore service, nor shall there be repayment or reduction of the Rent.

 

Section 6.03 - Janitorial Services

 

The Landlord shall provide janitorial services to the Leased Premises to a standard similar to that provided to comparable office buildings in the City of Vancouver at the date of this Lease, provided that all curtains, carpets, rugs or drapes of any kind (if any) in the Leased Premises shall be cleaned and maintained by the Tenant. The Landlord shall not be responsible for any omissions or act of any person employed or retained to perform such work, or for any loss thereby sustained by the Tenant, its servants, agents, invitees or others. The Tenant shall not engage any person or entity to provide janitorial services to the Leased Premises without the written approval of the Landlord. The Tenant shall grant access necessary for the performance of the janitorial services and shall leave the Leased Premises in a reasonably tidy condition at the end of each day to permit the performance of such services.

 

Section 6.04 - Utilities

 

The Landlord shall, subject to interruptions beyond its control, provide and permit the Tenant to use any utility service (including electricity and water) serving the Development, provided that the Tenant does not overload the capacity of any such service. The Tenant shall pay to the Landlord, or as it otherwise directs, as Additional Rent all costs and expenses relating to such use. The Tenant shall make such payments in monthly instalments in advance based upon estimates by the Landlord and subject to adjustment by the Landlord within a reasonable time after the end of the Lease Year for which such estimate has been made; if required by the Landlord, the Tenant shall install at its own expense (and in a location designated by the Landlord)

its separate check meter for the purpose of measuring, without limitation, the consumption of electricity and water in the Leased Premises. The Tenant shall advise the Landlord forthwith of any installations, appliances or business machines used by the Tenant which are likely to require large consumption of electricity or other utilities. The Landlord shall replace from time to time electrical light bulbs, tubes and ballasts serving the Leased Premises and the Tenant shall pay to the Landlord forthwith upon demand as Additional Rent the cost thereof plus an Administrative Charge.

 

Upon request by the Tenant, the Landlord may agree from time to time to supply additional heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning, electricity, or other services to the Leased Premises above those normally provided to tenants of the Development or outside Business Hours. The Tenant will pay to the Landlord in the manner in which Operating Cost is paid any additional costs of the Landlord which may arise in respect thereof, plus an Administrative Charge.

 

   
 

 

ARTICLE 7

USE AND OCCUPANCY OF LEASED PREMISES

 

Section 7.01 - Use

 

The Leased Premises shall not be used or occupied for any purpose other than an office for the conduct of general office use.

 

The Tenant shall not carry on or permit to be carried on therein any other trade or business without the prior written consent of the Landlord. The Tenant shall not use or permit to be used any part of the Leased Premises in any manner which directly or indirectly interferes with the free ingress and egress of other tenants, their servants, agents, licensees or invitees, to or from the Development, central corridors, elevators or other Common Areas, and without limitation, the Tenant shall not suffer or permit picketing arising from a trade union or other labour dispute in any part of the Common Areas.

 

The Tenant shall not, at any time, unless expressly consented to in writing in advance by the Landlord, conduct on the Leased Premises any operation in which the Tenant uses any fraudulent or deceptive advertising or selling procedures or any other business which because of the services likely to be sold or the methods likely to be used would in the opinion of the Landlord tend to lower the character of the Development.

 

Section 7.02 - Nuisance

 

The Tenant shall not carry on any business or do or suffer any act or thing which constitutes a nuisance or which is offensive, or any annoyance to the Landlord or other occupant of the Development.

 

Section 7.03 - Compliance With Laws

 

The Tenant shall promptly comply with and conform to the requirements of every applicable statute, law, by-law, regulation, ordinance and order at any time or from time to time in force during the Term affecting the Leased Premises or the leasehold improvements, trade fixtures, furniture and equipment installed by the Tenant. If any obligation to modify, extend, alter or replace any part of the Leased Premises or any such improvements, fixtures, furniture or equipment is imposed upon the Landlord, the Landlord may at its option either do or cause to be done the necessary work, at the expense of the Tenant, or forthwith give notice to the Tenant to do so within the requisite period of time, failing which the Landlord may by further notice to the Tenant terminate this Lease. The costs of any work done by the Landlord, shall be payable by the Tenant to the Landlord forthwith upon demand as Additional Rent plus an Administrative Charge.

 

Section 7.04 - Compliance With Rules and Regulations

 

The Tenant shall comply with the rules and regulations annexed hereto as Schedule "C", and cause everyone for whom the Tenant is in law responsible or over whom the Tenant might reasonably be expected to have control to do the same. The Landlord shall have the right from time to time during the Term to make reasonable amendments, deletions and additions to such rules and regulations. Such rules and regulations, together with all reasonable amendments, deletions and additions made thereto by the Landlord and of which notice shall have been given to the Tenant, shall be deemed to be part of this Lease provided that in the event of a conflict, the provisions of this Lease shall prevail.

 

Section 7.05 - Signs and Advertising

 

The Development shall be known and identified as 815 WEST HASTINGS LTD. or by such other name as designated by the Landlord from time to time. The Tenant shall not erect any sign or advertising material upon any part of the Development, including the Leased Premises. The Tenant shall be entitled to have its name upon the directory board installed by the Landlord in the ground floor lobby of the Development and, at its own expense, shall be entitled to require the Landlord to affix to the entrance of the Leased Premises its name in accordance with the Landlord's uniform scheme of tenants' identification or such other scheme as may be approved in writing by the Landlord, which approval may be arbitrarily withheld.

 

Section 7.06 - Disfiguration, Overloading, etc.

 

The Tenant shall not do or suffer any waste or damage, disfiguration or injury to the Leased Premises and shall not permit or suffer any overloading of the floors, thereof or the bringing into any part of the Development, including the Leased Premises, any articles or fixtures that by reason of their weight or size might damage or endanger the structure of the Development.

 

Section 7.07 - Energy Conservation

 

The Tenant shall comply with any measures the Landlord or any legislative authority may from time to time introduce to conserve or to reduce consumption of energy or to reduce or control Operating Costs or pay as Additional Rent the cost, to be estimated by the Landlord acting reasonably, of the additional energy consumed by reason of such non-compliance. The Tenant shall also convert to whatever system or units of measurement of energy consumption the Landlord may from time to time adopt.

 

Section 7.08 - Remedial Action

 

If the Tenant is in breach of any of its obligations or restrictions stipulated in this Article 7, the Landlord may, in addition to any other remedies that it may have hereunder, enter upon the Leased Premises and take such remedial action as is necessary to remedy the breach and repair any damage caused thereby and the Tenant shall forthwith upon demand pay to the Landlord as Additional Rent the Landlord's costs incurred in connection therewith plus an Administrative Charge.

 

Section 7.09 - Glass

 

The Tenant shall restore forthwith, at the Tenant's expense, and with glass of the same colour and quality, any broken or damaged glass in or on the Leased Premises, including glass doors and sidelights leading into or out of the Leased Premises. The Tenant shall also be responsible for the cost of repairing or replacing any damaged or broken glass in the exterior windows of the Leased Premises if such damage was caused by the Tenant or those for whom the Tenant is in law responsible.

 

ARTICLE 8

INSURANCE

 

Section 8.01 - Tenant's Insurance

 

The Tenant shall effect and maintain during the Term:

 

(i) "All Risks" insurance upon all property owned by the Tenant or for which it is legally liable or installed or affixed by or on behalf of the Tenant and which is located in the Development including, without limitation, furniture, fittings installations, alterations, additions, partitions and fixtures or anything in the nature of a leasehold improvement made or installed by or on behalf of the Tenant, in an amount equal to the full replacement cost thereof;

 

   
 

 

(ii) comprehensive general liability insurance against claims for death, personal injury and property damage in or about the Leased Premises, in amounts satisfactory from time to time to the Landlord acting reasonably, but in any event in an amount not less than Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00) per occurrence for personal injury and property damage;

 

(iii) "All Risks" tenant's legal liability insurance for limits satisfactory from time to time, to the Landlord acting reasonably; and

 

(iv) any other form of insurance that the Landlord or any Mortgagee may reasonably require from time to time, in form, amounts and for insurance risks acceptable to the Landlord and any Mortgagee.

 

Section 8.02 - Form of Policies

 

Each policy required pursuant to Section 8.01 shall be in form and with insurers acceptable to the Landlord. The insurance described in Subsections 8.01 (i) and (ii) [or any other policy, if required by the Landlord] shall name as additional insured the Landlord and anyone designated in writing by the Landlord. Such policies shall contain an endorsement requiring the insurers under such policies to notify the Landlord in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to any material change or cancellation thereof . The Tenant shall furnish to the Landlord prior to the commencement of the Term certified copies of all such policies for its acceptance, as aforesaid, and shall provide written evidence of the continuation of such policies not less than ten (10) days prior to their respective expiry dates. The cost or premium for each and every such policy shall be paid by the Tenant. If the Tenant fails to maintain such insurance the Landlord shall have the right, but not the obligation, to do so, and to pay the cost or premium therefor, and in such event the Tenant shall repay to the Landlord, as Additional Rent, forthwith on demand the amount so paid.

 

Section 8.03 - Release of Landlord

 

The acquisition and maintenance by the Tenant of the insurance policies as required pursuant to Section 8.01 shall not limit or restrict the liability of the Tenant under this Lease. The Tenant hereby releases the Landlord and any person for whom the Landlord is legally responsible from any liability for loss to the extent of all insurance proceeds paid under the policies of insurance maintained by the Tenant or which would have been paid if the Tenant had maintained the insurance it is required to maintain under this Lease and had diligently processed any claims thereunder.

 

Section 8.04 - Landlord's Insurance

 

The Landlord shall during the Term and any renewals thereof, take out and maintain in full force and effect insurance against risk of physical loss or damage to the Development, and such fixtures and improvements as the Landlord shall determine, and subject to such deductibles as the Landlord may reasonably determine. Provided however, the insurance shall not cover any property of the Tenant, whether owned by the Tenant or held by it in any capacity, nor leasehold improvements whether made by or on behalf of the Tenant. Notwithstanding any contribution by the Tenant to any insurance costs as provided for herein, no insurable interest shall be conferred upon the Tenant under policies carried by the Landlord.

 

Section 8.05 - Insurance Risks

 

The Tenant shall not do, omit to do, or permit to be done or omitted to be done upon the Leased Premises anything that may contravene or be prohibited by any of the Landlord's insurance policies in force from time to time covering or in respect of any part of the Development or which would prevent the Landlord from procuring such policies with companies acceptable to the Landlord. If the occupancy of the Leased Premises, the conduct of business in the Leased Premises or any acts or omissions of the Tenant in the Leased Premises or any other portion of the Development, causes or results in any increase in premiums for any such Landlord's policies, the Tenant shall pay any such increase as Additional Rent forthwith upon receipt of the invoices of the Landlord for such additional premiums plus an Administrative Charge. If the Tenant shall be in breach of these provisions the Tenant shall be responsible for all consequences flowing therefrom and shall indemnify the Landlord in respect thereof and if the rate of insurance is substantially increased or if the coverage of such insurance is substantially decreased, or such insurance is cancelled as a result thereof, at the option of the Landlord, the Term shall immediately terminate upon written notice to that effect to the Tenant.

 

ARTICLE 9

REPAIR AND DAMAGE

 

Section 9.01 - Landlord's Obligations

 

The Landlord shall at all times during the Term keep the Development (other than the Leased Premises and premises of other tenants) in good and substantial state of repair consistent with the general standards of comparable office buildings in the City of Vancouver, including the foundation, roof, exterior walls, systems for interior climate control, elevators, entrances, stairways, corridors, lobbies and washrooms used in common by the Tenant and other tenants of the Development, provided that such obligation is subject to reasonable wear and tear and Sections 9.04 and 9.05. Subject to Section 13.05, the Landlord shall also repair defects in construction performed, or installations made by the Landlord in the Leased Premises.

 

Section 9.02 - Tenant's Obligation

 

The Tenant shall at all times during the Term, subject to Section 9.05, at its own expense keep the Leased Premises, including all leasehold improvements and fixtures therein, in a good and substantial state of repair consistent with the general standards of comparable office buildings in the City of Vancouver, excepting reasonable wear and tear and repairs to be made by the Landlord under Section 9.01. The Tenant shall permit the Landlord to enter the Leased Premises and view the state of repair, and repair according to notice.

 

Section 9.03 - Tenant's Liability

 

The Tenant shall reimburse to the Landlord promptly upon demand the total cost of repairs or replacements to any part of the Development, including Common Areas, which is damaged or destroyed through the negligence or misuse of the Tenant or its employees, invitees or others under its control.

 

Section 9.04 - Damage - Landlord's Liability

 

Except to the extent the same is caused by the negligence or unlawful acts of the Landlord or by the negligence or unlawful acts of other persons for whom and in respect of which the Landlord is in law responsible, the Landlord, its agents, servants and employees, shall not be liable for:

 

(i) damage to or destruction or loss of any property of the Tenant which is entrusted to the care or control of the Landlord, its agents, servants or employees;

 

(ii) any personal or consequential injury of any nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, loss of business income) that may be suffered or sustained by the Tenant or any employee, agent, customer, invitee or licensee of the Tenant or any other person who may be upon the Leased Premises, or for any loss of or damage or injury to any property belonging to the Tenant or its employees or to any other person while such property is on the Leased Premises and, in particular (but without limitation), the Landlord shall not be liable for any damage of any nature whatsoever to any such property caused by the failure to supply adequate interior climate control, or by reason of the interruption of any public utility or service, or in the event of steam, water, rain, ice or snow which may leak into, issue, or flow from any part of the Development or from the water, steam, sprinkler, or drainage pipes or plumbing works of the same, or from any other place or for any damage caused by anything done or omitted by any other tenant of the Development; or

 

   
 

 

(iii) any damage to the Leased Premises or the contents thereof incurred by reason of the Landlord, its agents, servants, employees or contractors entering upon the Leased Premises to undertake any examination thereof or any work therein.

 

Section 9.05 - Abatement and Termination

 

The Landlord and the Tenant agree that:

 

(i) if there is damage to the Leased Premises caused by any casualty insured against by the Landlord pursuant to Section 8.04 and if the damage is such that the Leased Premises or any substantial part thereof are rendered not reasonably capable of use and occupancy by the Tenant for the purposes of its business for any period in excess of ten (10) days, then:

 

(A) unless the damage was caused by the fault or negligence of the Tenant or an assignee, subtenant, concessionaire, licensee or other person conducting business on or from the Leased Premises or an officer, employee, agent, customer, invitee or licensee of any of them, from and after the expiration of ten (10) days after the date of the occurrence of the damage, the Basic Rent payable under Section 4.01 shall abate until at least a substantial part of the Premises is again reasonably capable of use and occupancy for the purpose aforesaid, such abatement to be from time to time in the proportion that the Rentable Area of the part or parts of the Leased Premises rendered not reasonably capable of such use and occupancy bears to the Rentable Area of the Leased Premises, but not to exceed the amount of rental income insurance proceeds paid to the Landlord for the relevant period; provided that to the extent that any part of the Leased Premises is not reasonably capable of use and occupancy by reason of damage which the Tenant is obliged to repair, any abatement of Rent to which the Tenant is otherwise entitled shall not extend beyond the time by which, in the reasonable opinion of the Landlord, repairs by the Tenant ought to have been completed; and

 

(B) unless this Lease is terminated as hereinafter provided, the Landlord or the Tenant, as the case may be, will repair such damage with all reasonable diligence, (according to their respective obligations to repair set forth in Sections 9.01 and 9.02) provided that the Landlord's repair obligations shall be limited to the extent of the insurance proceeds actually received by it;

 

(ii) in the event that

 

(A) premises, whether of the Tenant or other tenants of the Development, comprising in the aggregate twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the Rentable Area of the Development are substantially damaged or destroyed by any cause; or

 

(B) the Leased Premises are damaged or destroyed by any cause such that, in the reasonable opinion of the Landlord or the Tenant, as the case may be, such damage cannot with reasonable diligence be repaired within one hundred and eighty (180) days after the occurrence thereof; or

 

(C) portions of the Development which affect access or services essential to the Leased Premises are damaged or destroyed by any cause such that, in the reasonable opinion of the Landlord or the Tenant, as the case may be, such damage cannot with reasonable diligence be repaired within one hundred and eighty (180) days after the occurrence thereof, then the Landlord or the Tenant may at its option, exercisable by notice to the other party given within ninety (90) days of the occurrence of such damage or destruction, terminate this Lease, in which event the Tenant shall forthwith deliver up possession of the Leased Premises to the Landlord and Rent shall be apportioned and paid to the date upon which possession is so delivered up (but subject to any abatement to which the Tenant may be entitled under Section 9.05(i);

 

(iii) any certificate of the Architect shall be conclusive as to the percentage of the Leased Premises or of the Development destroyed or damaged or capable of use and occupancy by the Tenant, the state of completion of any work or repair of either the Landlord or Tenant and the computation of the area of any premises including the Leased Premises; and

 

(iv) in repairing or rebuilding the Development in accordance with its repair obligations the Landlord may use drawings, designs, plans and specifications other than those used in the original construction and may alter or relocate any or all of the Common Areas and other improvements, including the Leased Premises, provided that the Leased Premises as altered or relocated shall be of substantially the same size and in all material respects comparable to or better than the original Leased Premises.

 

ARTICLE 10

TAXES

 

Section 10.01 - Taxes Payable by the Landlord

 

The Landlord shall pay all Taxes, subject to Section 10.02, provided that it may defer such payments or compliance with any taxing statute, law, by-law, regulation or ordinance to the fullest extent permitted by law, so long as it diligently pursues any contest or appeal of any such Taxes.

 

Section 10.02 - Taxes Payable by the Tenant

 

(i) If separate real property tax bills and separate real property assessment notices for the Leased Premises are not issued, the Tenant shall pay its Proportionate Share of Taxes as determined by the Landlord as set out herein.

 

(ii) If separate real property tax bills and separate real property assessment notices for the Leased Premises are issued, the Tenant shall:

 

(A) pay promptly when due to the taxing authorities all Taxes levied, rated, charged or assessed from time to time against the Leased Premises, or any part thereof, and forthwith provide the Landlord with evidence of payment upon request; and

 

(B) provide the Landlord with a copy of each separate real property tax bill and separate assessment notice within ten (10) days after receipt;

 

provided that in any case, if the Landlord so elects by notice to the Tenant the Tenant shall pay such Taxes to the Landlord in equal monthly instalments in advance, in accordance with Section 4.04.

 

   
 

 

Section 10.03 - Business Taxes and Other Taxes of the Tenant

 

The Tenant shall pay promptly when due to the taxing authorities all taxes, rates, duties, levies and assessments whatsoever, whether municipal, parliamentary or otherwise, levied, imposed or assessed in respect of operations at, occupancy of, or conduct of business in or from the Leased Premises by the Tenant or any other permitted occupant, including Business Taxes. The Tenant shall also pay to the Landlord promptly on demand an amount equal to any of the following taxes the Landlord may determine to recover from the Tenant, and any amounts so paid by the Tenant to the Landlord (and by other tenants under corresponding clauses of other leases) shall be excluded in the determination of Taxes:

 

(i) all taxes charged in respect of all leasehold improvements and trade fixtures and all furniture and equipment made, owned or installed by or on behalf of the Tenant in the Leased Premises; and

 

(ii) if by reason of the act, election or religion of the Tenant or any subtenant, licensee or occupant of the Leased Premises, the Leased Premises or any part of them shall be assessed for the support of separate schools, the amount by which the taxes so payable exceed those which would have been payable if the Leased Premises had been assessed for the support of public schools.

 

If and so long as the Landlord elects not to separately determine and collect from the tenants of the Development directly amounts which would otherwise be payable by the Tenant under this section (and by other tenants under comparable provisions of other leases of premises in the Development) the taxes described herein shall form part of Taxes, without prejudice to the right of the Landlord to make any such determination in the future, either generally or in the case of the Tenant or any other tenant.

 

Section 10.04 - Postponement

 

The Landlord may postpone payment of any Taxes payable by it pursuant to Section 10.01 and the Tenant may postpone payment of any taxes, rates, duties, levies and assessments payable by it under Section 10.03 in each case to the extent permitted by law if it is proceeding in good faith with an appeal against the imposition thereof, provided that in the case of a postponement by the Tenant such postponement does not render the Development, or any part thereof, subject to sale or forfeiture or render the Landlord liable to prosecution, fine or other liability.

 

Section 10.05 - Tenant to Deliver Receipts

 

Whenever requested by the Landlord, the Tenant shall deliver to the Landlord copies of receipts for payment of all taxes, rates, duties, levies and assessments payable by the Tenant under this Article and furnish such other information in connection therewith as the Landlord may reasonably require.

 

Section 10.06 - Assessment Appeals

 

The Landlord alone shall be entitled to conduct any appeal from any governmental assessment or determination of the value of the Development or any portion thereof whether or not the assessment or determination affects the amount of tax to be paid by the Tenant.

 

ARTICLE 11

ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING

 

Section 11.01 - Permitted Occupants

 

The Tenant shall not permit any part of the Leased Premises to be used or occupied by any person other than the Tenant and its employees and any subtenant or assignee permitted under Section 11.02 and the employees of such subtenant or assignee, nor shall it permit any persons to be upon the Leased Premises other than the Tenant, such permitted subtenant or assignee and their respective employees, customers and others having lawful business with them. Without restricting the generality of the foregoing, the Tenant acknowledges that the entirety of this Article 11 shall apply fully, even if the Tenants permitted use or business to be carried on in the Leased Premises is the business of subletting or licensing of office space and facilities.

 

Section 11.02 - Assignment or Subletting

 

If at any time or from time to time, the Tenant wishes to assign this Lease or to sublet the whole or any part of the Leased Premises to any person other than a subsidiary or affiliate of the Tenant, the Tenant in each instance shall first offer to surrender this Lease in respect of the whole or any part of the Leased Premises (the “Subject Area”) which the Tenant wishes so to assign or sublet. Notice of such offer to surrender shall be given to the Landlord not less than ninety (90) days prior to the date on which the Tenant proposes that the surrender be effective. The Landlord shall have a period of ten (10) Business Days after such notice is given to accept or to decline such offer (the “Landlord’s Consideration Period”). If the Landlord accepts, then this Lease shall terminate with respect to the Subject Area on the date proposed in such offer. If the Landlord declines such offer or does not respond within the aforesaid time period, the Tenant may seek the Landlord’s consent to assign this Lease or sublet the Subject Area provided that the Tenant shall have:

 

(i) received or procured a bona fide written offer (the “Offer”) to take an assignment or sublease of the Subject Area which is not inconsistent with, and the acceptance of which would not breach, any provision of this Lease (if this Section 11.02 is complied with) and which the Tenant has determined to accept subject to this Section 11.02 being complied with;
(ii) delivered to the Landlord an executed copy of the Offer no later than ninety (90) days after expiry of the Landlord’s Consideration Period; and
(iii) requested and obtained the written consent of the Landlord to such assignment or sublease.

If the Tenant fails to satisfy any of the conditions set out in this Section 11.02 or if the Landlord does not consent to any such assignment of this Lease or sublease of the Subject Area, the Tenant shall be required to comply with the obligations of the Tenant set out in this Section 11.02 in each instance when, from time to time, the Tenant wishes to assign this Lease or sublet the whole or part of the Leased Premises.

 

Notwithstanding any other part of this Section 11.02, the Tenant shall not be required to obtain the Landlord’s consent to any assignment or sublease of the Leased Premises to a subsidiary or affiliate of the Tenant provided that the Tenant remains bound by the terms of this Lease. Should the Tenant wish to assign this Lease to a subsidiary or affiliate of the Tenant, and should the Tenant wish to no longer be bound by the terms of this Lease, the Tenant must first obtain the Landlord’s consent, which consent the Landlord may not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition. In no event shall the assignment or subleasing or an attempted assignment or sublease by the Tenant to a subsidiary or affiliate of the Tenant entitle the Landlord to terminate this Lease or any part of the Leased Premises.

 

Any request for the Landlord's consent shall be accompanied by a true copy of such offer and all information available to the Tenant, or any additional information requested by the Landlord, as to the responsibility, reputation, financial standing and business of the proposed assignee or subtenant. The consent of the Landlord shall not be unreasonably withheld provided that, without limitation, the Landlord shall not be deemed to be unreasonably withholding its consent if it refuses such consent upon the basis that

 

(A) such offer provides for a rental which is less than the rental payable under this Lease, or

 

   
 

 

(B) such offer is made by, or the proposed assignment is in favour of, any existing tenant of the Development.

 

If such consent is given the Tenant shall assign or sublet, as the case may be, only upon the terms set out in the offer submitted to the Landlord. The Landlord may require as a condition of its consent that the proposed assignee or subtenant agree with the Landlord to observe and to perform all the obligations of the Tenant under this Lease and the Tenant agrees with the Landlord that:

 

(iv) in the case of an assignment, if the Tenant is to receive from any assignee, either directly or indirectly, any consideration or premium for the assignment of the Lease, either in the form of cash, goods or services, the Tenant shall forthwith pay an amount equal to such consideration to the Landlord; and

 

(v) if the Tenant sublets the Subject Area and receives a rental, consideration or premium in the form of cash, goods, services or other consideration from the subtenant which is higher than the rental payable under this Lease (on a per square foot basis) to the Landlord for the Subject Area, the Tenant shall pay any such excess to the Landlord in addition all rentals and other costs payable hereunder.

 

In the case of any sublease, any consent of the Landlord will also be conditional upon the sub-tenant agreeing in writing with the Landlord that if the sub-tenant for any reason comes to stand in the same position with the Landlord as though it were a direct tenant from Landlord, then the sub-tenant shall pay to the Landlord all amounts that were outstanding and owing to the Landlord under the terms of the head Lease immediately prior to the assignment or disclaimer and the sub-tenant shall pay to the Landlord as rent for the sub-leased premises rent at the rate and in the amounts which had been payable by the Tenant to the Landlord under the terms of the head Lease and shall agree in writing to be bound to the Landlord by all of the obligations of the Tenant under the head Lease, the term of the sub-tenant's demise shall end on the last day of the term of the sub-lease , and the sub-tenant shall not have the benefit of any renewal or extension or other ancillary rights or benefits contained in the head Lease. The foregoing obligation shall apply notwithstanding that the premises demised to the sub-tenant are smaller than the premises demised under the head Lease.

 

Whether or not the Landlord consents to any request as aforesaid, the Tenant shall pay to the Landlord all reasonable costs incurred by the Landlord, including legal fees, in considering any consent and in completing any of the documentation involved in implementing any such assignment or sublease. Any advertisement of the Leased Premises or a portion thereof as being available for assignment, sublease or otherwise without the written approval of the Landlord to the form and content of such advertisement is prohibited, which approval shall be granted by the Landlord in its sole discretion.

 

Section 11.03 - Change in Control

 

If after the date of execution of this Lease: (i) the Tenant or any permitted assignee is not a “public company” as that term is defined in the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia): and (ii) there is a change in control (as defined below) either of the Tenant or of an Eligible Corporation which controls the Tenant or if other steps are taken to accomplish a change of control the Tenant shall promptly notify the Landlord of the change, which will be considered to be an assignment of this Lease to which Section 11.02 applies; if the Tenant does not notify the Landlord, the Landlord may terminate this Lease within sixty (60) days after the Landlord learns of the change in control. If the Tenant or any permitted assignee is not a “public company” as that term is defined in the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), he Tenant shall make available to the Landlord or its lawful representatives for inspection at all reasonable times, all relevant books and records of the Tenant and of any Eligible Corporation which controls the Tenant to enable the Landlord to ascertain whether there has been a change of control. For the purpose of this Section 11.03 "change in control" means, in the case of any corporation or partnership, the transfer by sale, assignment, amalgamation, transmission on death, trust, operation of law or otherwise of any shares, voting rights or interest which may result in a change of identity of the person or persons exercising, or who might exercise, effective control of such corporation or partnership.

 

Section 11.04 - Surrender

 

If the Landlord accepts the Tenant's offer to surrender the whole or any part of the Leased Premises pursuant to Section 11.02, the Tenant shall do so upon the date specified in the notice of offer to surrender accepted by the Landlord. If the whole of the Leased Premises is required to be surrendered all Rent and other sums payable under this Lease shall be apportioned and paid to the date of surrender. If a part of the Leased Premises is required to be surrendered, all Rent and other sums payable under this Lease which are fairly attributable to such part shall be apportioned by the Landlord and paid to the date of surrender of such part, and Basic Rent for the remaining portion of the Leased Premises not so surrendered shall thereafter abate and become adjusted consistent with such attribution made by the Landlord, and the Tenant shall compensate the Landlord for the cost of partitioning off the part of the Leased Premises required to be surrendered and providing necessary and appropriate new entrances thereto, separate services thereto and doing all other work required to enable the part so surrendered to become functionally separate and suitable for separate use and occupancy plus an Administrative Charge. The Tenant shall be responsible for any appropriate modifications which are necessary in the remaining portion of the Leased Premises retained by the Tenant. The provisions of this Section 11.04 shall apply to the surrendered part of the Leased Premises as if such part were the whole of the Leased Premises.

 

Section 11.05 - Continuing Obligations

 

The Landlord's consent to any assignment or sublease shall not release the Tenant from its obligations to perform fully all the terms, covenants and conditions of this Lease on its part to be performed. Any consent by the Landlord to any assignment or sublease shall not be construed to mean that the Landlord has consented or will consent to any further assignment or any other sublease.

 

Section 11.06 - Assignment by Landlord

 

If 815 WEST HASTINGS LTD. transfers the Development or any interest in the Development, and to the extent that the transferee is responsible for compliance with the covenants and obligations of 815 WEST HASTINGS LTD. hereunder, 815 WEST HASTINGS LTD. shall without further written agreement be freed and relieved of liability with respect to such covenants and obligations.

 

ARTICLE 12

STATUS CERTIFICATES, ATTORNMENT, SUBORDINATION

 

Section 12.01 - Status Certificates

 

The Tenant shall at any time and from time to time execute and deliver to the Landlord or as the Landlord may direct, a statement in writing certifying that this Lease is unmodified and in full force and effect (or if modified, stating the modification and stating that the same is in full force and effect as modified), the amount of the Rent and any other amounts then being paid hereunder, the dates to which such Rent and amounts payable hereunder have been paid, the particulars and amounts of insurance policies on the Leased Premises in which the interest of the Tenant is noted and whether or not there is any existing default on the part of the Landlord of which the Tenant has notice. Any such statement may be conclusively relied upon by any prospective purchaser or any Mortgagee or any prospective Mortgagee save as to any default on the part of the Landlord of which the Tenant does not have knowledge at the date thereof.

 

   
 

 

Section 12.02 - Subordination and Attornment

 

This Lease and the rights of the Tenant hereunder shall be subject and subordinate to all existing or future Mortgages and to all renewals, modifications, consolidations, replacements and extensions thereof, and whenever requested by the Landlord or Mortgagee, the Tenant shall enter into an agreement with the Mortgagee whereby the Tenant postpones or subordinates this Lease to the interest of any stipulated Mortgagee, and agrees that if such Mortgagee becomes a mortgagee in possession or realizes on its security, it shall attorn to such Mortgagee as a tenant upon all the terms of this Lease.

 

Section 12.03 - Attorney

 

The Tenant shall, upon request of the Landlord or the Mortgagee or any other person having an interest in the Development, execute and deliver promptly such instruments and certificates to carry out the intent of this Article 12 as are requested by the Landlord. If ten (10) days after the date of a request by the Landlord to execute any such instruments or certificates the Tenant has not executed the same, the Tenant hereby irrevocably appoints the Landlord as the Tenant's attorney with full power and authority to execute and deliver in the name of the Tenant any such instruments or certificates or, the Landlord may, at its option, terminate this Lease without incurring any liability on account thereof, and the Term hereby granted is expressly limited accordingly.

 

ARTICLE 13

LIMITATION OF LIABILITIES

 

Section 13.01 - Unavoidable Delay

 

Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Lease, if and to the extent that either the Landlord or the Tenant shall be prevented, delayed or restricted in the fulfilment of any obligation hereunder (including, without limitation, any obligation in respect of the supply or provision of any service or utility, the making of any repair or the doing of any work) other than the payment of Rent or other monies due by reason of Unavoidable Delay, it shall be deemed not to be in default in the performance of such obligation and any period for the performance of such obligation shall be extended accordingly and the other Party to this Lease shall not be entitled to compensation for any inconvenience, nuisance or discomfort thereby occasioned.

 

Section 13.02 - Waiver

 

If the Landlord shall overlook, excuse, condone or suffer any default, breach or non-observance by the Tenant of any obligation hereunder, this shall not operate as a waiver of such obligation in respect of any continuing or subsequent default, breach, or non-observance, and no such waiver shall be effective unless expressed in writing. The acceptance of Rent by the Landlord from the Tenant or any other entity will not be considered to be a waiver of a breach by the Tenant of a term, covenant or condition of this Lease, regardless of knowledge of the Landlord of the breach at the time of acceptance of the Rent.

 

Section 13.03 - No Claim for Inconvenience

 

No claim for compensation shall be made by the Tenant by reason of inconvenience, nuisance or discomfort arising from the necessity of repair, renovation or rebuilding of any portion of the Development.

 

Section 13.04 - Indemnity by Tenant

 

Subject to Section 9.04, the Tenant shall indemnify and save harmless the Landlord against any and all claims, actions, damages, losses, liabilities and expenses in connection with the loss of life, personal injury or damage to property arising from or out of the occupancy or use by the Tenant of the Leased Premises or any other part of the Development, or occasioned wholly or in part by any act or omission of the Tenant, its officers, employees, agents, customers, contractors or other invitees, licensees or concessionaires or by anyone permitted by the Tenant to be on the Leased Premises, or due to or arising out of any breach or non-performance by the Tenant of any provision of this Lease.

 

Section 13.05- Acceptance of Leased Premises

 

The Tenant shall notify the Landlord of any defects in the Landlord's work relating to the Leased Premises that prevent or diminish its use of the Leased Premises within thirty (30) days after the completion of such work, and failing the giving of notice the Tenant will be considered for all purposes to have accepted the Leased Premises in their then existing condition and the Landlord will not have any further obligation to the Tenant for defects or faults excepting:

 

(i) latent defects which could not be discovered on a reasonable examination, and

 

(ii) defects or faults in structural elements relating to the Leased Premises not caused by acts or omissions of the Tenant.

 

ARTICLE 14

ACCESS

 

Section 14.01 - Entry by Landlord

 

The Landlord and its authorized agents, employees and contractors shall be permitted, at any time and from time to time, to enter the Leased Premises to inspect, provide janitor services and maintenance, make repairs, alterations or improvements to the Leased Premises or the Development or to have access to utilities and services, and the Tenant shall not be entitled to compensation for any inconvenience, nuisance or discomfort caused thereby; in exercising its rights hereunder the Landlord shall use reasonable efforts to minimize interference with the use and enjoyment of the Leased Premises by the Tenant.

 

Section 14.02 - Exhibiting Leased Premises

 

The Tenant will permit the Landlord or the agents of the Landlord to exhibit the Leased Premises at all reasonable hours during the last six (6) months of the Term to prospective tenants and all other persons having written authority from the Landlord or the agents of the Landlord to view the Leased Premises. The Landlord shall further have the right to enter upon the Leased Premises at all reasonable hours during the Term for the purpose of exhibiting the Development to any prospective purchaser or mortgagee.

 

ARTICLE 15

ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS

 

Section 15.01 - Landlord's Alterations, etc.

 

The Landlord, at any time after the day that is two years after this Lease commenced, and from time to time and without compensation to the Tenant, may make;

 

   
 

 

(i) alterations or additions to, or change the location of, any part or parts, of any areas and any buildings, structures, facilities and other improvements from time to time on the Lands, other than the Leased Premises, and

 

 

(ii) alterations or additions to, or change the location of, the Leased Premises or any facilities in the Leased Premises; if

 

(A) the Rentable Area of the Leased Premises is not substantially reduced or substantially increased; and

 

(B) the Landlord makes the alterations or additions to the Leased Premises or change of location of the Leased Premises at its expense, completes the finishing or fixturing of Leased Premises to the standard existing before the alterations, additions or change of location and pays the Tenant's costs of moving and other reasonable direct costs incurred by the Tenant.

 

Without limiting the foregoing, the Landlord shall have the right, at any time after the day that is two years after this Lease commenced, upon giving the Tenant written notice at least 30 days in advance, to provide the Tenant with other space (“Other Space”) in the Development (whether or not any part of the Leased Premises forms part thereof) of approximately the same size as the Leased Premises (but not more than 3% smaller than the size of the Leased Premises originally demised to the Tenant hereunder) improved to a standard and using materials of approximately the same quality as the improvements which exist in the Leased Premises at the time of relocation and the Tenant agrees to move to the Other Space. The Landlord shall arrange for and pay the costs associated with moving the Tenant to the Other Space, and effective at the date the business of the Tenant in the Leased Premises is required by the Landlord to close to facilitate the move (the “Closing Date”) the Tenant will surrender the Leased Premises and this Lease will be deemed to be amended by the substitution for the current Schedule A of a plan prepared by the Landlord which shows the Other Space cross-hatched and, if the Rentable Area of the Other Space is different than the Rentable Area of the now current Leased Premises, by the substitution in this Lease for the revised Rentable Area for the Other Space where necessary, and by the calculation of amounts of Rent calculated using the Rentable Area of the Other Space (provided that the Tenant shall not be required to pay rent for more than 103% of the number of square feet originally demised to the Tenant hereunder); and the parties agree to execute an agreement prepared by the Landlord which formally provides for such amendments to this Lease and all references in this Lease to the Leased Premises shall thenceforth be deemed to refer to the Other Space and this Lease, amended as aforesaid, will continue in full force and effect as a lease of the new space, for the balance of the Term. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Other Space have windows facing any road or alleyway save and except for Hastings Street and/or Howe Street and the Other Space shall have a comparable floor plan to the Leased Premises.

 

Section 15.02 - Tenant's Alterations

 

(i) The Tenant shall not make, erect, or install any partitions (including moveable partitions), leasehold improvements, alterations or fixtures (including trade fixtures) in or about the Leased Premises without the prior written consent of the Landlord. All such work shall be performed in accordance with any reasonable conditions, regulations or design criteria set out by the Landlord and shall be completed in a good and workman like manner, in accordance with the description of the work approved by the Landlord, all applicable laws and the requirements of all governmental authorities. The Tenant shall, at the time of its application for such consent, furnish the Landlord with such plans, specifications and designs in such detail as the Landlord may require. The Landlord shall have the right to supervise any work done and to select or approve (at its option) the contractors and workmen to be employed by the Tenant. Any workmen performing the work shall have labour union affiliations compatible with others employed by the Landlord and its contractors. If the work proposed by the Tenant may affect the structure of the Leased Premises or any part of the Development or any of the electrical, mechanical or base building systems of the Development, the Landlord may elect that it be performed either by the Landlord or its contractors, in which case the Tenant shall pay to the Landlord as Additional Rent the costs of the Landlord relating to such work, including any consultants' fees plus an Administrative Charge. If the Tenant performs any work without complying with the provisions of this Section and does not remove it upon notice, the Landlord shall have the right to do so and to restore the Leased Premises to their previous condition, in which case the Tenant shall pay to the Landlord as Additional Rent the costs of such work and a supervisory fee which is reasonable in all circumstances plus an Administrative Charge. All partitions, leasehold improvements, alterations or fixtures made, erected or installed in the Leased Premises, whether made pursuant to this Section 15.02 or otherwise, shall become the property of the Landlord upon installation or affixation subject to the rights and obligations of the Tenant respecting removal thereof as provided in this Section.

 

(ii) The Landlord may, by notice to the Tenant, require the removal prior to the end of the Term (on a floor-by-floor basis), at the expense of the Tenant, of all partitions, leasehold improvements, alterations or fixtures and the restoration of the Leased Premises to the same condition that they were in prior to their making, erection or installation, such work to be done by or at the direction of the Landlord, as aforesaid.

 

(iii) Subject to Subsection 15.02 (ii), upon the expiration or other termination of this Lease, all partitions, leasehold improvements, alterations or fixtures made, erected or installed by the Tenant (or a predecessor of the Tenant) upon the Leased Premises (including carpeting and light fixtures) shall remain upon and be surrendered with the Leased Premises as a part thereof and any trade fixtures not removed by the Tenant shall be and become the property of the Landlord, absolutely provided that if the Tenant has paid the Rent and performed the covenants and conditions herein contained, it shall, at the end of the Term, have the right to remove its trade fixtures but shall make good the damage caused to the Leased Premises by their installation or removal; if the Tenant fails to do so the Landlord shall have the right to perform such work, in which case the Tenant shall pay the Landlord as Additional Rent the costs of such work plus an Administrative Charge.

 

(iv) No trade fixtures, furniture or equipment shall be removed by the Tenant from the Leased Premises during Term except that the Tenant may remove its furniture and equipment in the usual and normal course of its business, if excess for its purposes, or if it is substituting new furniture and equipment.

 

Section 15.03 - Liens

 

The Tenant shall comply with all the provisions of the Builders Lien Act and other statutes from time to time applicable to any work done or improvements made to the Leased Premises by or on behalf of the Tenant (including any provisions requiring or enabling holdbacks) and shall take all steps necessary to ensure that no lien shall attach to the Leased Premises or any part of the Development. If any lien arises the Tenant shall immediately cause it to be discharged and any registration thereof vacated, and if such lien shall not have been discharged and the registration thereof vacated within a period of two (2) days after the Landlord gives the Tenant notice requiring it to do so, the Landlord shall be entitled to make such payment or take such action as may be necessary or expedient to discharge such lien and the registration thereof. The Tenant shall, forthwith on demand and as Additional Rent, indemnify and reimburse the Landlord for any payment, cost or expense (including legal fees) incurred by the Landlord in taking any action permitted under this Section.

 

ARTICLE 16

REMEDIES OF LANDLORD ON TENANT'S DEFAULT

 

Section 16.01 - Remedying by Landlord, Non-Payment and Interest

 

In addition to all rights and remedies available to the Landlord by any provision of this Lease or any applicable law, in the event of any default by the Tenant, the Landlord shall have the right at all times to remedy or attempt to remedy any default of the Tenant, and in so doing may make any payments due or alleged to be due by the Tenant to third parties and may enter upon the Leased Premises to do work or other things therein on not less than five (5) Business Days' notice to the Tenant or without notice in the event of an emergency; all expenses of the Landlord in remedying or attempting to remedy such default shall be payable by the Tenant to the Landlord as Additional Rent forthwith upon demand.

 

   
 

 

Section 16.02 - Right to Re-Enter

 

If and whenever:

 

(i) the Tenant fails to pay any Rent or other sums due hereunder on the day or dates appointed for the payment thereof (provided the Landlord first gives five (5) days' written notice to the Tenant of any such failure); or

 

(ii) the Tenant fails to observe or perform any other of the terms, covenants or conditions of this Lease to be observed or performed by the Tenant (other than the terms, covenants or conditions set out below in Sub-paragraphs (iii) to (xii) inclusive, for which no notice shall be required) provided the Landlord first gives the Tenant ten (10) days, or such shorter period of time as is otherwise provided herein, written notice of any such failure to perform, and the Tenant within such period of ten (10) days fails to commence diligently and thereafter to proceed diligently to cure any such failure to perform; or

 

(iii) the Tenant or any agent of the Tenant falsifies any report required to be furnished to the Landlord pursuant to this Lease; or

 

(iv) the Tenant or any indemnifier of this Lease or any person occupying the Leased Premises or any part thereof becomes bankrupt or insolvent or takes benefit of any act now or hereinafter in force for bankrupt or insolvent debtors or files any proposal or makes any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any arrangement or compromise; or

 

(v) a receiver or a receiver and manager is appointed for all or a portion of the Tenant's property or any such indemnifier's, or occupant's property; or

 

(vi) any steps are taken or any action or proceedings are instituted by the Tenant or by any other party including, without limitation, any court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction for the dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of the Tenant or its assets; or

 

(vii) the Tenant makes a sale in bulk of any of its assets, wherever situated (other than a bulk sale made to an assignee or sublessee pursuant to a permitted assignment or subletting hereunder); or

 

(viii) the Tenant abandons or attempts to abandon the Leased Premises, or sells or disposes of the goods and chattels of the Tenant or removes them from the Leased Premises so that there would not in the event of such sale or disposal be sufficient goods of the Tenant on the Leased Premises subject to distress to satisfy all Rent due or accruing hereunder for a period of at least twelve (12) months; or

 

(ix) the Leased Premises become and remain vacant for a period of five (5) consecutive days or are used by any persons other than such as are entitled to use them hereunder; or

 

(x) the Tenant assigns, transfers, encumbers, sublets or permits the occupation or use or the parting with or sharing possession of all or any part of the Leased Premises by anyone except in a manner permitted by this Lease; or

 

(xi) this Lease or any of the Tenant's assets are taken under any writ of execution; or

 

(xii) re-entry is permitted under any other terms of this Lease,

 

then and in every such case the Landlord, in addition to any other rights or remedies it has pursuant to this Lease or by law, has the immediate right of re-entry upon the Leased Premises and it may repossess the Leased Premises and enjoy them as of its former estate, and it may expel all persons and remove all property from the Leased Premises, and such property may be removed and sold or disposed of by the Landlord as it deems advisable or may be stored in a public warehouse or elsewhere at the cost and for the account of the Tenant, all without service of notice or resort to legal process and without the Landlord being considered guilty of trespass or becoming liable for any loss or damage which may be occasioned thereby.

 

Section 16.03 - Bankruptcy of Tenant

 

If the Term or a substantial portion of the goods and chattels of the Tenant on the Leased Premises at any time during the Term are seized or taken in execution or attachment by a creditor of the Tenant, or if the Tenant makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors or if a receiver-manager is appointed to control the conduct of the business on or from the Leased Premises, or if the Tenant becomes bankrupt or insolvent or takes the benefit of a statute now or hereafter in force for bankrupt or insolvent debtors, or if an order is made for the winding-up of the Tenant, or if the Leased Premises, without the written consent of the Landlord, become and remain vacant or abandoned for a period of fifteen (15) days or are used by any other persons than those entitled to use them under the terms of this Lease, the next ensuing three (3) months' Rent immediately will become due and payable as accelerated rent and the Landlord may re-enter and take possession of the Leased Premises as provided herein, and this Lease, at the option of the Landlord exercisable by written notice to the Tenant, forthwith will become forfeited and determined. In every one of the cases above mentioned the accelerated rent will be recoverable by the Landlord in the same manner as the Rent hereby reserved and as if Rent were in arrears.

 

 

The Tenant acknowledges and agrees that under no circumstances will it file any notice of termination seeking to take advantage of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) as amended from time to time or other laws for the benefit of insolvent debtors and now waives any and all rights to do so. The Tenant agrees that if, in breach of this paragraph, it files such a notice, the Landlord may, in addition to all its other remedies, produce and rely on this paragraph in challenging the validity of the notice in the court proceedings contemplated by Section 65.2 of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act or such laws and the Landlord may in those or any other proceedings apply for injunctive or other relief against the Tenant filing the notice.

 

Section 16.04 - Right to Terminate

 

If and whenever the Landlord becomes entitled to re-enter the Leased Premises under any provision of this Lease, the Landlord, in addition to all other rights and remedies, shall have the right to terminate this Lease forthwith by leaving upon the Leased Premises notice in writing of such termination. If such notice is given, pursuant to this or any other provision of this Lease, this Lease and the Term shall terminate. Basic Rent and any other payments for which the Tenant is liable under this Lease shall be computed, apportioned and paid in full to the date of such termination, and the Tenant shall immediately deliver up possession of the Leased Premises to the Landlord.

 

Section 16.05 - Right to Re-Let

 

If the Landlord re-enters pursuant to the provisions of either this Lease or any applicable law, it may either terminate this Lease or it may from time to time without terminating the Tenant's obligations under this Lease, make any alterations and repairs considered by the Landlord necessary to facilitate a re-letting, and re-let the Leased Premises or any part thereof as agent of the Tenant for such term or terms and at such rental or rentals and upon such other terms and conditions as the Landlord, in its reasonable discretion, considers advisable. Upon each re-letting, all Rent and other monies received by the Landlord from the re-letting will be applied:

 

   
 

 

(i) to the payment of indebtedness other than Rent due hereunder from the Tenant to the Landlord;

 

(ii) to the payment of costs and expenses of the re-letting including brokerage fees and legal fees and costs of the alterations and repairs; and

 

(iii) to the payment of Rent due and unpaid hereunder.

 

The residue, if any, will be held by the Landlord and applied in payment of future Rent as it becomes due and payable. If the rent received from the re-letting during a month is less than the Rent to be paid during that month by the Tenant, the Tenant shall pay the deficiency to the Landlord. The deficiency will be calculated and paid monthly. No re-entry by the Landlord will be construed as an election on its part to terminate this Lease unless a written notice of that intention is given to the Tenant. Despite a re-letting without termination, the Landlord may elect at any time to terminate this Lease for a previous breach. If the Landlord terminates this Lease for any breach, in addition to other remedies it may have, it may recover from the Tenant all damages it incurs by reason of the breach, including the cost of recovering the Leased Premises, reasonable legal fees and the worth at the time of termination of the excess, if any, of the amount of Rent and charges equivalent to rent reserved in this Lease for the remainder of the Term, over the then reasonable rental value of the Leased Premises for the remainder of the Term, all of which amounts shall be immediately due and payable by the Tenant to the Landlord.

 

Section 16.06 - Remedies Cumulative

 

The Landlord may from time to time resort to any or all of the rights and remedies available to it in the event of any default hereunder by the Tenant, either by any provision of this Lease or by statute or the general law, all of which rights and remedies are intended to be cumulative and not alternative, and the express provisions hereunder as to certain rights and remedies are not to be interpreted as excluding any other or additional rights and remedies available to the Landlord by statute or the general law.

 

Section 16.07 - Waiver of Exemption from Distress

 

The Tenant hereby agrees with the Landlord that notwithstanding anything contained in the Rent Distress Act (British Columbia) or the Commercial Tenancy Act (British Columbia) or any other Statute subsequently passed to take the place of or amend these said Acts, none of the goods and chattels of the Tenant at any time during the continuance of the Term hereby created on the Leased Premises shall be exempt from levy by distress for Rent in arrears by the Landlord as provided for by any Section or Sections of the said Acts or any amendments thereto, and that if any claim is made for such exemption by the Tenant or if a distress is made by the Landlord, this covenant and agreement may be pleaded as an estoppel against the Tenant in any action brought to test the right to the levying upon any such goods as are named as exempted in any Sections of the said Acts or any amendments thereto; the Tenant waiving, as it hereby does, all and every benefit that could or might have accrued to the Tenant under and by virtue of any Sections of the said Acts, or any amendments thereto but for this covenant.

 

Section 16.08 - Removal of Chattels

 

In case of removal by the Tenant of the goods and chattels of the Tenant from the Leased Premises, the Landlord may follow same for thirty (30) days in the same manner as provided for in the Commercial Tenancy Act (British Columbia).

 

ARTICLE 17

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

 

Section 17.01 - Restriction on Contaminants

 

The Tenant shall not use or permit to be used the Leased Premises or Development or any part thereof for Contaminant Dealings except if approved by the Landlord in writing, at its sole discretion (which approval may be withdrawn at any time notwithstanding any provision of this Lease), and whenever such approval is given, the Tenant shall attend to such Contaminant Dealings in accordance with the written directions of and conditions imposed by the Landlord.

 

Section 17.02 - Compliance with Environmental Laws

 

The Tenant shall promptly and strictly comply with and conform to the requirements of all Environmental Laws at any time or from time to time in force, together with any requirements of the Landlord's insurers, regarding any Contaminant Dealings on, in, under or from the Leased Premises or Development.

 

Section 17.03 - Access by Landlord

 

The Tenant shall permit the Landlord to enter the Leased Premises at all reasonable times to verify the absence of any Contaminants in, on or under the Leased Premises or Development and the Tenant's compliance with this Article to examine any goods in or at the Leased Premises, and to take such steps as the Landlord may deem necessary for the safety and preservation of the Leased Premises or Development. No such entry shall constitute an eviction or breach of the Landlord's covenant for quiet enjoyment or entitle the Tenant to any abatement in Rent.

 

 

Section 17.04 - Notice to Landlord

 

The Tenant shall promptly notify the Landlord in writing of:

 

1. the existence of any Contaminants in, on or under the Leased Premises or Development or any part thereof, except as expressly approved by the Landlord in writing pursuant to this Article;

 

2. the existence of any Contaminants or any occurrence or condition on the Leased Premises or Development which could subject the Tenant or the Landlord to any fines, penalties, orders or proceedings under Environmental Laws;

 

3. any enforcement, order, investigation, litigation or other governmental, regulatory, judicial or administrative action instituted, contemplated or threatened against the Tenant or the Leased Premises or Development pursuant to Environmental Laws; and

 

4. all claims, actions, orders or investigations, made or threatened by any third party against the Tenant or the Leased Premises or Development relating to damage, contribution, cost recovery, compensation, loss or injuries resulting from any Contaminants brought onto or created on the Leased Premises or Development by the Tenant or its employees, agents, contractors, subtenants, licensees or invitees or arising from the use or occupation of the Leased Premises or Development hereunder or the exercise of the Tenant's rights hereunder, or any breach of any Environmental Laws arising from any of the foregoing.

 

   
 

 

Section 17.05 - Removal of Contaminants

 

The Tenant shall, promptly at its own cost and at the Landlord's request from time to time, remove any and all Contaminants from the Leased Premises or Development and remediate any contamination of the Leased Premises or Development or any other lands resulting from the Contaminants brought onto or created on the Leased Premises or Development by the Tenant or its employees, agents, contractors, subtenants, licensees or invitees or arising from the use or occupation of the Leased Premises or Development hereunder or the exercise of the Tenant's right hereunder in accordance with Environmental Laws. On termination of this Lease, the Tenant shall leave the Leased Premises and Development free from any and all Contaminants brought onto or created on the Leased Premises or Development by the Tenant or its employees, agents, contractors, subtenants, licensees or invitees or resulting from the use or occupation of the Leased Premises or Development hereunder or the exercise of the Tenant's rights hereunder.

 

Section 17.06 - Ownership of Contaminants

 

If the Tenant shall bring or create upon the Leased Premises or Development any Contaminants then, notwithstanding any rule of law to the contrary, such Contaminants shall be and remain the sole and exclusive property of the Tenant and shall not become the property of the Landlord, notwithstanding the degree of affixation of the Contaminants or the goods containing the Contaminants to the Leased Premises or Development and notwithstanding the expiry or earlier termination of this Lease. This Section supersedes any other provision of this Lease to the contrary.

 

Section 17.07 - Indemnity

 

The Tenant shall indemnify and save harmless the Landlord and its directors, officers, employees, agents, successors and assigns, from any and all liabilities, actions, damages, claims, losses, costs and expenses whatsoever (including without limitation, the full amount of all legal fees, costs, charges and expenses and the costs of removal treatment, storage and disposal of Contaminants and remediation) which may be paid by, incurred by or asserted against the Landlord or its directors, officers, employees, agents, successors or assigns , due to the escape, seepage, leakage, spillage, discharge, emission or other release of any Contaminants from, any part of the Leased Premises during the Term or any renewal thereof, into the environment including without limitation into or upon any real or personal property or the atmosphere.

 

Section 17.08 - Survival of Tenant's Obligations

 

The obligations of the Tenant under this Article relating to Contaminants (including, without limitation, the Tenant's obligation regarding remediation and its indemnity) shall survive the expiry or earlier termination of this Lease.

 

ARTICLE 18

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 18.01 - Notices

 

Any notice, statement or request herein required or permitted to be given by either Party to the other shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been sufficiently and effectually given if signed by or on behalf of the Party giving the notice and delivered or mailed by registered prepaid post,

 

(i) in the case of notice to the Landlord, to it at:

 

Suite 230

830 West Pender Street

Vancouver, BC

V6C 1J8

 

(ii) in the case of notice to the Tenant, to it at the Leased Premises.

 

Any such notice given as aforesaid shall be conclusively deemed to have been given, if delivered, on the first Business Day following the date of such delivery, or if mailed, on the fifth Business Day following the date of such mailing. The Landlord may from time to time, by notice to the Tenant, change the address to which notices are to be given. During any interruption, threatened interruption or substantial delay in postal services, such notice shall be delivered or sent by Facsimile addressed as aforesaid. Where a party is required to give “notice” under this Lease, such party must give such notice a reasonable amount of time in advance to the other party, with “reasonable” being determined with consideration, inter alia, to the degree of interruption, the invasiveness and the amount of work involved to which such notice relates.

 

Section 18.02 - Registration of Lease

 

Neither the Tenant nor anyone on the Tenant's behalf shall register this Lease or any other instrument pertaining to this Lease against the Lands, nor shall anyone require this Lease to be in a form registrable under the Land Title Act (British Columbia) and the Landlord is not required to deliver this Lease in registerable form notwithstanding any statutory requirement to the contrary.

 

Section 18.03 - Acceptance

 

The Tenant hereby accepts this Lease and Leased Premises described herein to be held by it as Tenant, and subject to the conditions, restrictions and covenants above set forth.

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties hereto have executed this Lease.

 

 

 

 

   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
 

 

SCHEDULE "C"

RULES & REGULATIONS

 

1.       The Tenant shall keep the Leased Premises tidy and free from rubbish which shall be deposited in proper receptacles which are either designated by the Landlord or clearly intended for waste.

 

2.       No cooking or preparation of food shall be permitted in the Leased Premises other than the use of a microwave oven or small toaster oven, and no electrical apparatus likely to cause overloading of electrical circuits shall be used therein. No tenant shall cause or permit any unusual or objectionable odors to be produced upon or emanate from the Leased Premises.

 

3.       The Tenant shall not use or permit the use of the Leased Premises in such manner as to create any objectionable noises, odours or other nuisance or hazard or to breach the provisions of any municipal by-law or other lawful requirement applicable thereto or any requirement of the insurers of the Development.

 

4.       No heavy equipment or safe shall be moved by or for the Tenant except with the prior written consent of the Landlord, which may be arbitrarily withheld. Such equipment shall be moved upon the appropriate steel-bearing plates, skids, or platforms, subject always to direction by the Landlord, and shall take place at such times and by such persons as the Landlord shall have approved.

 

5.       The entrances, lobbies, elevators, staircases and other facilities of the Development shall be used only for access to the Leased Premises and other parts of the Development; the Tenant shall not obstruct or misuse such facilities, or permit them to be obstructed or misused by its agents, employees, invitees or others under its control.

 

6.       The Tenant shall not misuse or damage the Leased Premises or any of the improvements or facilities therein, or deface or mark any walls or other parts of the Leased Premises, or drive nails, spikes, hooks or screws into the walls or woodwork of the Leased Premises or any other part of the Development.

 

7.       No fixtures, freight or bulky matter shall be moved in or out of the Leased Premises or carried on any facilities for the Development except during such hours and at such locations as the Landlord shall have approved. Hand trucks and similar appliances shall be equipped with rubber tires and other safeguards approved by the Landlord and shall be used only by prior arrangement with the Landlord.

 

8.       The Tenant shall not perform, patronize or permit any canvassing, soliciting or peddling in the Development, shall not install in the Leased Premises any machines vending or dispensing refreshments or merchandise (except with the prior written consent of the Landlord).

 

9.       No person shall use the Leased Premises for sleeping apartments or residential purposes, or for the storage of personal effects or articles other than those required for business purposes.

 

10.       The Tenant shall permit and facilitate the entry of the Landlord, or those designated by it, into the Leased Premises for the purpose of inspection, repair and other proper purposes, and shall not obstruct access to main header ducts, janitor and electrical closets and other necessary means of access to mechanical, electrical and other facilities. The Tenant shall not place any additional locks or other security devices upon any doors of the Leased Premises without the prior written approval of the Landlord, which may be arbitrarily withheld or granted on a conditional basis.

 

11.       The Tenant shall refer to the Development only by the name from time to time designated by the Landlord, and shall use such name only for the business address of the Leased Premises and not for any promotional or other purposes.

 

12.       The Landlord may require that at any time other than Business Hours all or any persons entering and leaving the Development identify themselves and register in the manner prescribed by the Landlord for the purpose, may prevent any person from entering the Leased Premises unless provided with a key thereto and a pass or other authorization from the Tenant in a form satisfactory to the Landlord, and may prevent any person removing any goods therefrom without written authorization. The Landlord may institute a photo-identification security system in which case identification cards may be obtained from the Landlord at the expense of the Tenant.

 

13.       The Tenant shall receive, ship and take delivery of and allow and require suppliers and others to deliver and take delivery of supplies, fixtures, equipment and furnishings only through the appropriate service and delivery facilities provided in the Development, and subject to such further regulations as the Landlord may from time to time impose.

 

14.       The Tenant shall not interfere with any window coverings installed upon exterior windows, and shall close such window coverings during such hours from dusk to dawn as the Landlord may require, and shall not install or operate any interior drapes that will interfere with the exterior appearance or the climate control system of the Development.

 

15.       If an emergency situation shall exist because of fire, explosion or other hazard, or the threat thereof, the Tenant and its agents, servants, contractors, invitees and employees shall, if requested by the Landlord, the Fire Department or the police, vacate the Development forthwith in the manner prescribed by the Fire Department.

 

16.       The Leased Premises shall not be used for storage of any inflammable, explosive or dangerous materials or for any purpose which may in any way increase the risk of fire or obstruct or interfere with the rights of other occupants of the Development or violate or be at variance with any laws or regulations of any governmental or regulatory authority.

 

17.       No musical instruments or sound producing equipment or amplifiers which may be heard outside the Leased Premises shall be played or operated on the Leased Premises.

 

18.       The water closets and other water apparatus shall not be used for any purpose other than those for which they were constructed, and no sweepings, rubbish, rags, ashes or other substances shall be thrown therein. The Tenant shall be responsible for any damage resulting from misuse caused by it or by its agents, servants, employees, licensees or invitees. The Tenant shall not let the water run unless it is in actual use.

 

19.       The Tenant shall give the Landlord prompt written notice of any accident which occurs upon any part of the Development or any defect in the Development, including the Common Areas or the facilities and systems serving the Development.

 

20.       These rules and regulations, together with all reasonable amendments, deletions and additions, are not necessarily of uniform application, but may be waived in whole or in part in respect of other tenants of the Development without affecting their enforceability with respect to the Tenant and the Leased Premises, and may be waived in whole or in part with respect to the Leased Premises without waiving them as to future application to the Leased Premises. The imposition of such rules and regulations shall not create or imply any obligation of the Landlord to enforce them or create any liability of the Landlord for their non-enforcement.

 

21. No animals or birds shall be brought onto any part Development without the consent of the Landlord.

 

22.       No bicycles or vehicles shall be brought into or kept in or about the Development or the Leased Premises.

 

23.       In the event that the Tenant wishes at any time to utilize the services of a telephone or telecommunications provider whose equipment is not then servicing the Development, no such provider shall be permitted to install its lines or other equipment within the Development without first securing the prior written approval of the Landlord. Landlord’s approval shall not be deemed any kind of warranty or representation by Landlord, including, without limitation, any warranty or representation as to the suitability.

 

24.       Smoking is not permitted within the Development or adjacent to the Development.

 

   
 

 

SCHEDULE "D"

SPECIAL PROVISIONS

 

 

Attached hereto and forming a part of a Lease between 815 WEST HASTINGS LTD. and INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC., dated this 14th day of January, 2019 and to be initialled by both parties.

 

Deposit The Landlord acknowledges receipt of a deposit (the “Security Deposit”) in the amount equal to six  (6) months’ Gross Rent plus GST. If the Tenant has not been in material default under under the terms of this Lease, the Landlord shall apply the Security Deposit to the following months Gross Rent (Months 1, 13, 25,37 & 49) with the balance to be held by the Landlord as security for the faithful performance by the Tenant of all of the provisions of this Lease to be performed or observed by the Tenant. If the Tenant fails to pay Rent or otherwise defaults with respect to any provision of this Lease, the Landlord may use, apply or retain all or any portion of the Security Deposit for the payment of any Rent in default, or for the payment of any other expense which the Landlord may incur by reason of the Tenant’s default, or to compensate the Landlord for any loss or damage which the Landlord may suffer thereby. If the Landlord so uses or applies all or any portion of the Security Deposit, the Tenant, shall within ten (10) days after demand therefore deposit cash with the Landlord in an amount sufficient to restore the Security Deposit to the full amount thereof with such full amount being determined by deducting any part of the Security Deposit that have been applied towards the Gross Rent in accordance with this provision from the value of the Security Deposit paid on the signing of this Lease. The Landlord shall not be required to keep the Security Deposit separate from its general accounts.  If the Tenant performs all of the Tenant’s obligations hereunder, the Security Deposit, or so much thereof as has not therefore been applied by the Landlord, shall be returned, without payment of interest or other increment for its use, to the Tenant following the expiration of the Term and after the Tenant has vacated the Leased Premises.  No trust relationship is created herein between the Landlord and the Tenant with respect to the Security Deposit.
   
   

State of the

Premises

The Landlord shall provide the Leased Premises to the Tenant on a “Turnkey” basis and built to the their building standards specifications and in accordance with the design outlined on the attached Schedules A and A1, together with the addition of a doorbell as noted below, on or before July 1, 2019 (the “Fixturing Date”).  The Tenant shall have five (5) Business Days commencing on the date that it receives the Leased Premises to inform the Landlord of any objections or deficiencies with the Leased Premises (“Deficiencies”), after which, subject to and excluding any Deficiencies, the Tenant will accept the Leased Premises on an “as is” basis. The Landlord shall build out the Premises to match their building standards.
   
Doorbell On or before June 30, 2019, the Landlord shall install at its own cost a doorbell on the exterior of the Leased Premises for use by the Leased Premises.
   
Parking The Landlord shall provide one (1) reserved parking stall to the Tenant at the prevailing market rates, which is currently $300.00 per month plus taxes.
   
   
Option to Renew If the Tenant has not been in material default under under the Lease, the Landlord shall, at the expiration of the said Term, upon receiving written notice from the Tenant at least six (6) months prior to the expiration of the said Term, grant to the Tenant a renewal lease for  the Leased Premises for a further term of three (3) years on the same terms and conditions as the Lease except as to this clause, the amount of any inducements or improvements and except as to the amount of Rent which is to be based upon the fair market rent for the Leased Premises as they exist at that time, as comparable with premises of similar size, quality, improvements and location at the time of review (the “Time of Review” is the four (4) month period preceding the last anniversary  of the Term), as negotiated between the Parties during the Time of Review. In the event the Landlord and Tenant do not agree as to the fair market rent during the Time of Review, the rent shall be set by arbitration under the provisions of the Commercial Arbitration Act of British Columbia.
   
Fixturing Period The Tenant shall have access to the Leased Premises for the purposes of fixturing and conducting general business practice for a sixty (60) day period (the “Fixturing Period”) commencing on the Fixturing Date from July 1st, 2019 to August 31, 2019, free of any Basic Rent, Operating Costs, Additional Rent or Taxes. Should the Landlord not deliver the Leased Premises on a Turnkey basis and to the specification contained in the section entitled “State of the Premises” above on the Fixturing Date, the commencement date and expiry date of the Term will be delayed until such day that is 61 days after the commencement of the Fixturing Period.

 

 

 

 

   

Exhibit 10.9

SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

AMONG

MERIDEX SOFTWARE CORPORATION,
BIOGEN SCIENCES INC.

AND

THE SHAREHOLDERS OF BIOGEN SCIENCES INC.

May 10, 2014

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION 2
     Definitions 2
     Interpretation 7
ARTICLE 2 SHARE PURCHASE 8
     Purchase and Sale 8
     Purchase Consideration 8
     Surrender of Share Certificates 8
ARTICLE 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF MERIDEX 8
     Representations and Warranties of Meridex 8
     Reliance 12
ARTICLE 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN RESPECT OF BSI 13
     Representations and Warranties in Respect of BSI 13
     Reliance 19
ARTICLE 5 SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES 19
     Survival of Representations and Warranties 19
ARTICLE 6 COVENANTS IN RESPECT OF BSI 20
     Covenants in Respect of BSI 20
ARTICLE 7 COVENANTS OF THE BSI SHAREHOLDERS 24
     Covenants of the BSI Shareholders 24
ARTICLE 8 COVENANTS OF MERIDEX 25
     Covenants of Meridex 25
ARTICLE 9 INDEMNIFICATION 28
     Mutual Indemnifications for Breaches of Warranty 28
     Limitation on Mutual Indemnification 28
     Procedure for Indemnification 28
ARTICLE 10 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT 29
     Mutual Conditions Precedent 29
     Conditions for the Benefit of Meridex 30
     Conditions for the Benefit of BSI Shareholders 31
ARTICLE 11 CLOSING 32
     Time of Closing 32
ARTICLE 12 TERMINATION 32
     Termination by Meridex 32
     Termination by BSI 32
     Other Termination Rights 32
     Effect of Termination 33
ARTICLE 13 EXPENSES 33
     Responsibility for Own Costs 33
ARTICLE 14 GENERAL 33
     public Announcement 33

 

 

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Independent Legal Advice 34
Entire Agreement 34
Further Assurances 34
Severability 34
Applicable Law 34
Attornment 34
Successors and assigns 35
Time of Essence 35
Notices 35
Waiver 36
Amendments 36
Remedies Cumulative 36
Counterparts 36
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is dated as of the 9 day of May, 2014

AMONG:

MERIDEX SOFTWARE CORPORATION, a corporation organized pursuant to the laws of British Columbia, and with an address at 350-409 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 1T2

(“Meridex”)

AND:

BIOGEN SCIENCES INC., a corporation organized pursuant to the laws of British Columbia, and with an address at 1400-1125 Howe St, Vancouver, BC V6Z-2K8

(“BSI”)

AND:

Dr. Sazzad Hossain, an individual with an address at

XYZZ, Richmond, BC Canada

(“Sazzad”)

AND:

Dr. Hyder A. Khoja, an individual with an address at

28-3850 Dominion St.

Burnaby, BC V5G 1C2

(“SH2”)

AND:

Nick Brusatore, an individual with an address at

#25-130 Brew Street, Port Moody BC.

(“SH3”)

 

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WHEREAS:

(A)       Sazzad, SH2, and SH3 are the shareholders of BSI;

(B)       Sazzad has invented a Botanical Drug Design Platform also described as a Cannabinoid Drug Design Platform and, together with BSI, has begun the process of filing a [US] Provisional Patent application entitled “Method Of Predicting Efficacy Of Drug and Botanical Compound Combinations” (the “In-Process Patent”), a description of which is included in the attached Schedule 4.1(e); and

(C)       Meridex wishes to acquire all of the shares of BSI and the BSI Shareholders wish to sell their BSI Shares to Meridex (each of such capitalized terms as herein defined) on the terms and conditions set out herein;

NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSETH that in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

Definitions

1.1       In this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings ascribed thereto as

follows:

(a)       “Acquisition” means the acquisition of all the BSI Shares by Meridex;

(b)       “Affiliate” has the meaning specified in BCBCA;

(c)       “Agreement” means this share purchase agreement, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof;

(d)       “Alternative Transaction” has the meaning given to the term in §6. l(m) hereof;

(e)       “Ancillary Agreements” means all agreements, certificates and other instruments delivered or given pursuant to this Agreement;

(f)       “BCBCA” means the British Columbia Business Corporations Act;

(g)       “BSI Assets” means the property and assets of BSI as a going concern, of every kind and description and wheresoever situated, including, for greater certainty and without limitation, the BSI Intellectual Property

(h)       “BSI Information” has the meaning given to the term in §8.l(c)(i) hereof;

 

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(i)       “BSI Intellectual Property” means the Intellectual Property of BSI and Dr. Sazzad Hossain, including, for greater certainty and without limitation, the Botanical Drug Design Platform and the In-Process Patent to be filed

(j)       “BSI Shareholders” means Sazzad, SH2, and SH3;

(k)       “BSI Shares” means the common shares in the capital of BSI;

(l)       “Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or statutory holiday in British Columbia;

(m)       “Canadian GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in Canada as in effect from time to time, consistently applied;

(n)       “Claims” means any suit, action, dispute, civil or criminal litigation, claim, arbitration or legal, administrative or other proceeding or governmental investigation, including appeals and applications for review;

(o)       “Closing” means the completion of the transactions contemplated herein;

(p)       “Closing Date” means May 16, 2014 or such other Business Day as the Parties may agree in writing;

(q)       “CSE” means the Canadian Securities Exchange;

(r)       “CSE Listing Statement” means the CSE prescribed Listing Statement (Form 2A) prepared and filed, as supplemented and amended from time to time, by Meridex;

(s)       “Disclosure Exceptions” means the exceptions to the representations and warranties of Meridex, BSI or the BSI Shareholders, as the case may be, to be provided in writing as contemplated by Article 3 and Article 4 hereof;

(t)       “Environmental Law” means any applicable federal, provincial, state, local or foreign law (including common law), statute, code, rule, regulation, ordinance, or other legal requirement, guidelines, criteria or standards relating to the protection of occupational health or safety or the environment, including natural resources and the protection thereof and other similar guidelines, criteria and standards of Governmental Entities;

(u)       “Environmental Permits” means all permits, authorizations, consents and approvals required by Environmental Laws for the continued operation of the respective businesses of each Party and each of its Subsidiaries as currently conducted or as proposed to be conducted;

(v)       “Escrow Agreement” means the escrow agreement in the form prescribed under the policy NP 46-201 to be entered into by the BSI Shareholders with Meridex and an escrow agent;

 

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(w)       “Governmental Entity” means any government, parliament, legislature, regulatory authority, governmental department, agency, commission, board, tribunal, crown corporation, court or other law, rule or regulation-making entity having jurisdiction or exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative powers on behalf of any federation or nation, or any province, territory, state or other subdivision thereof or any municipality, district or other subdivision thereof;

(x)       “Governmental Order” means any order, writ, ruling, judgment, injunction, decree, stipulation, determination, award, directive or citation entered by or with any Governmental Entity;

(y)       “Hazardous Substances” means any substance, material or waste that is regulated by, or forms the basis of liability, now or hereafter, under any applicable Environmental Laws;

(z)       “Indebtedness” means as to any Person, all obligations of such Person for payment of borrowed money, including obligations for payment of principal, interest and penalties;

(aa) “Infringe” has the meaning given to the term in §4.l(f)(ii) hereof;

(bb) “Intellectual Property” means all (i) inventions, discoveries and ideas (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice), and all patents, applications for patents and provisional patents (including, without limitation, the in- process patent); (ii) trade secrets, know-how, confidential information, and other proprietary rights and information; (iii) trademarks, service marks, trade names and other indications of origin including all goodwill associated with all of the foregoing, and all applications, registrations and renewals in connection with all of the foregoing, in any jurisdiction; (iv) copyrights and works of authorship, whether copyrightable or not, and all applications, registrations and renewals in connection therewith, in any jurisdiction; (v) Internet domain names; (vi) computer technology, equipment, devices, systems, hardware, software and databases; and (vii) other similar intellectual property or proprietary rights;

(cc) “Laws” means all statutes, codes, ordinance, regulations, statutory rules, published policies, published guidelines and terms and conditions of any grant of approval, permission, authority or license of any Governmental Entity, and the term “applicable” with respect to such Laws, and in the context that refers to one or more Persons, means that such Laws apply to such Person or Persons or its or their business, undertaking, property or securities and emanate from a Governmental Entity having jurisdiction over the Person or Persons or its or their business, undertaking, property or securities (all references herein to a specific statute being deemed to include all applicable rules, regulations, rulings, orders and forms made or promulgated under such statute and the published policies and published guidelines of the Governmental Entity administering such statute) and will include the published rules and policies of the CSE;

 

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(dd) “Lien” means any mortgage, charge, pledge, hypothecation, security interest, assignment, lien (statutory or otherwise), charge, title retention agreement or arrangement, restrictive covenant or other encumbrance of any nature or any other arrangement or condition, which, in substance, secures payment, or performance of an obligation;

(ee) “Listing Statement” means the CSE Listing Statement in the prescribed form [to be] filed by Meridex in connection with Meridex’s application for listing on the CSE, including all appendices thereto, as the same may be amended from time to time;

(ff) “Material Contracts” means all contracts or other obligations or rights (and all amendments, modifications and supplements thereto to which any Party or any of its Subsidiaries is a party affecting the obligations of any party thereunder) to which a Party or its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of their respective properties or assets are bound that are material to the business, properties or assets of a Party or its Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

(gg) “material fact” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Securities Act;

(hh) “Meridex Assets” means the property and assets of Meridex as a going concern, of every kind and description and wheresoever situated;

(ii) “Meridex Constating Documents” means the Notice of Articles and Articles of Meridex;

(jj) “Meridex Financial Statements” means the audited financial statements of Meridex for the year ended June 30, 2013, together with the notes thereto;

(kk) “Meridex Information” has the meaning given to the term in §6.1(c) hereof;

(11) “Meridex Shareholders” means the holders of Meridex Shares;

(mm) “Meridex Shares” means the common shares in the capital of Meridex;

(nn) “misrepresentation” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Securities Act;

(oo) “Name Change” means the change of the name of Meridex from “Meridex Software Corporation” to “Cannabis Technologies Inc.” or such other name selected by the board of directors of Meridex;

(pp) “NP 46-201” means National Policy 46-201 adopted by the members of the Canadian Securities Administrators;

(qq) “Party” means a party to this Agreement and “Parties” means all parties to this Agreement;

 

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(rr) “Permits” means in respect of a party, all permits, licenses, variances, exemptions, orders and approvals of all Governmental Entities necessary for the lawful conduct of the respective businesses of the Party or any of its Subsidiaries;

(ss) “Permitted Liens” means Liens for current Taxes or other governmental charges not yet due and payable or delinquent, the amount or validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or which may thereafter be paid without penalty or such imperfections of title, easements, encumbrances and mortgages or other Liens, if any, as are not material (alone or in the aggregate) in character, amount or extent and do not materially detract from the value, or materially interfere with the present use, of any property subject thereto or affected thereby, and any Liens listed in the Disclosure Exceptions;

(tt) “Person” means and includes an individual, firm, sole proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, venture capital or hedge fund, association, unincorporated association, unincorporated syndicate, unincorporated organization, estate, group, trust, body corporate (including a limited liability company and an unlimited liability company), a trustee, executor, administrator or other legal representative, Governmental Entity, syndicate or other entity, whether or not having legal status;

(uu) “Protection of Corporate Interest Agreement” has the meaning given to the term in §7.1(c) hereof;

(vv) “In-Process Patent” has the meaning given to the term in the recitals hereof;

(ww) “Real Property” has the meaning given to the term in §4.1 (v)(iii) hereof;

(xx) “Regulatory Approvals” means those sanctions, rulings, consents, orders, exemptions, permits and other approvals (including the lapse, without objection, of a prescribed time under a statute or regulation that permits a transaction to be implemented if a prescribed time lapses following the giving of notice without an objection being made) of any applicable Governmental Entity;

(yy) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act (British Columbia) and all blanket rulings, policy statements, orders, rules and notices of the British Columbia Securities Commission;

(zz) “Subsidiary” means, with respect to a specified body corporate, a body corporate of which more than 50% of the outstanding shares ordinarily entitled to elect a majority of the directors thereof, whether or not shares of any other class or classes will or might be entitled to vote upon the happening of any event or contingency, are at the time owned, directly or indirectly, by such specified body corporate, and includes a body corporate in like relation to a subsidiary;

(aaa) “Tax Returns” means all returns, declarations, reports, information returns and statements filed or required to be filed with any taxing authority relating to Taxes; and

 

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(bbb) “Taxes” means all present and future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Entity in the nature of a tax, including any interest, additions to tax and penalties applicable thereto;

Interpretation

1.2       For the purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided:

(a)       a reference to an Article is to an Article of this Agreement, and the symbol § followed by a number or some combination of numbers and letters refers to the section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, clause or subclause of this Agreement so designated;

(b)       the captions, § numbers and Article numbers appearing in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and will in no way define, limit, construe or describe the scope or intent of this Agreement nor in any way affect this Agreement;

(c)       the word “including”, when following any general statement or term, is not to be construed as limiting the general statement or term to the specific items or matters set forth or to similar items or matters, but rather as permitting the general statement or term to refer to all other items or matters that could reasonably fall within its broadest possible scope;

(d)       in the event that any date on which any action is required to be taken hereunder by any of the parties is not a Business Day, such action will be required to be taken on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day;

(e)       a reference to a statute includes all regulations made thereunder, all amendments to the statute or regulation in force from time to time, and every statute or regulation that supplements or supersedes such statute or regulation;

(f)       words importing the masculine gender include the feminine or neuter, words in the singular include the plural, a word importing a corporate entity includes an individual, and vice versa;

(g)       all dollars amounts, unless otherwise specified, are in Canadian dollars; and

(h)       where any matter is stated to be “to the knowledge” or “to the best of the knowledge” of BSI or words to like effect in this Agreement, such will mean the actual knowledge of any of the officers or directors of BSI after due inquiry. Where any matter is stated to be “to the knowledge” or “to the best of the knowledge” of Meridex or words to like effect in this Agreement, such will mean the actual knowledge of the senior officers of Meridex after due inquiry.

 

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ARTICLE 2

SHARE PURCHASE

Purchase and Sale

2.1       Subject to the terms and conditions hereof and based upon the mutual representations, warranties, terms and conditions herein contained and the prior satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent, which are set forth in Article 10 herein, each of the BSI Shareholders agrees to assign, sell and transfer to Meridex on the Closing Date all their right, title and interest in and to their respective BSI Shares as set out in Schedule A attached hereto and Meridex agrees to purchase all of the BSI Shares from the BSI Shareholders.

Purchase Consideration

2.2       The purchase price for the BSI Shares will be paid by Meridex on the Closing Date by the issuance of the 4,000,000 Meridex Common Shares, which shall be issued on a prorata basis to the BSI Shareholders in accordance with their respective BSI Shareholdings.

Surrender of Share Certificates

2.3       Each BSI Shareholder who is entitled to receive Meridex Shares in exchange for their BSI Shares as set out in §2.1 will on or after Closing surrender the certificate or certificates representing the BSI Shares held by such BSI Shareholder to Meridex and in return will be entitled to receive a certificate representing Meridex Shares on the basis set out herein. Until such surrender and exchange, the share certificate or certificates representing BSI Shares held by each such BSI Shareholder will be evidence of their right to be registered as a holder of Meridex Shares.

ARTICLE 3

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF MERIDEX

Representations and Warranties of Meridex

3.1       Meridex represents and warrants to BSI and each of the BSI Shareholders as

follows and acknowledges that BSI and each of the BSI Shareholders is relying on such representations and warranties in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby:

Incorporation, Organization and Authority of Meridex

(a)       Meridex is a corporation duly organized and validly subsisting and in good standing under the laws of British Columbia, and has all the requisite corporate capacity and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and to carry on its business and to own, lease and operate the Meridex Assets.

 

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Necessary Proceedings

(b)       All necessary and required corporate measures, proceedings and actions of the directors and shareholders of Meridex have been taken or duly initiated to authorize and enable Meridex to enter into and deliver this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to issue the Meridex Shares issuable in connection with the Acquisition.

Valid and Binding Obligation

(c)       This Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which Meridex is a party have been duly executed and delivered by Meridex and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of Meridex, enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms subject only to:

(i)       any limitation under applicable Laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization and other similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally; and

(ii)       the fact that equitable remedies, including the remedies of specific performance and injunction, may only be granted in the discretion of a court.

Share Capital of Meridex

(d)       The authorized capital of Meridex consists of an unlimited number of common shares without par value of which 36,449,285common shares without par value are duly and validly issued and outstanding as fully paid and non-assessable as of the date hereof. Other than as disclosed in the continuous disclosure record of Meridex (including the Financial Statements) accessible on SEDAR or in writing to BSI, and as contemplated by this Agreement (including §2.2), there is no other agreement, obligation (contractual or otherwise), right or option existing or pending pursuant to which Meridex is or might be required to issue any shares or other securities of its capital.

Reporting Issuer

(e)       Meridex is a reporting issuer under the Securities Act (Alberta) and the Securities Act (British Columbia) and Meridex’s name does not appear on a list of defaulting reporting issuers maintained by the British Columbia or Alberta securities commissions. Meridex is in compliance and up to date with all filings under applicable corporate and securities laws, rules and regulations.

Cease Trading

(f)       No order ceasing trading in securities of Meridex or prohibiting the sale of securities by Meridex is currently in effect and to Meridex’s knowledge, no proceedings for this purpose have been instituted, are pending, contemplated or threatened.

 

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Financial Statements

(g)       The Meridex Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP and present fairly the assets, liabilities (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) and financial condition of Meridex as of the respective dates thereof and the consolidated sales, income and results of operations of Meridex for the respective financial periods covered thereby.

Auditors

(h)       The auditors of Meridex who audited the Meridex Financial Statements and delivered the audit report with respect to those statements are independent public accountants.

Material Change

(i)       There has been no material change in the capital, business, Meridex Assets, liabilities, obligations (absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise), operations, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, financial position, capital or long-term debt, affairs or prospects of Meridex since the date of the Meridex Financial Statements, which have not been disclosed in the manner required by applicable Laws, and all public filings made by, or on behalf of, Meridex do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact that was required to be stated.

Business of Meridex

(j)       Meridex has conducted and is conducting its business in all material respects in compliance with all applicable Laws, rules and regulations.

Liabilities of Meridex

(k)       There are no known liabilities (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) of Meridex of any kind whatsoever, and, to the best of the knowledge of Meridex, there is no basis for assertion against Meridex of any liabilities of any kind, other than:

(i)       liabilities disclosed or reflected in or provided for in the Meridex Financial Statements; or

(ii)       liabilities incurred since the date of the Meridex Financial Statements which were incurred in the ordinary course of Meridex’s business and, in the aggregate, are not materially adverse to its business.

Indebtedness

(l)       Meridex has no bonds, debentures, mortgages, promissory notes or other indebtedness maturing more than one year after the date of their original creation or issuance, and Meridex is not under any obligation to create or issue any bonds,

 

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debentures, mortgages, promissory notes or other indebtedness maturing more than one year after the date of their original creation or issuance.

Guarantees

(m)       Meridex is not a party to, or bound by, any agreement of guarantee, indemnification, assumption or endorsement or any like commitment of the obligations, liabilities (contingent or otherwise) or indebtedness of any other Person.

Tax Matters

(n)       Meridex is not in arrears or in default in respect of the filing of any required federal, provincial or municipal tax or other tax return; and (i) all taxes, filing fees and other assessments due and payable or collectible from Meridex will have been paid or collected prior to the Closing Date, (ii) no claim for additional taxes, filing fees or other amounts and assessments due and payable or collectible from Meridex has been made which has not been collected, and (iii) to the best of the knowledge of Meridex, no such return contains any misstatement or conceals any statement that should have been included therein.

Meridex Corporate Records

(o)       The corporate records and minute books of Meridex contain substantially complete and accurate minutes of all meetings of the directors and shareholders of Meridex held since its incorporation, and signed copies of all resolutions and Articles duly passed or confirmed by the directors or shareholders of Meridex other than at a meeting, all such meetings having been duly called and held. The share certificate books, register of security holders, register of transfers and register of directors and any similar corporate records of Meridex are complete and accurate.

No Breach Caused by this Agreement

(p)       Neither the execution nor delivery of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements to which Meridex is a party nor the fulfillment or compliance with any of the terms and conditions hereof or thereof will conflict with, or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, the Meridex Constating Documents of Meridex or any indenture, mortgage, lease, agreement or instrument to which Meridex is subject to, save and except in any case which would not have a material adverse effect, or will require any consent or other action by any administrative or governmental body. Meridex has complied with all licenses, franchises, leases, permits, approvals and agreements to which Meridex is a party or by which Meridex is bound, the breach of which would reasonably have a material adverse effect on Meridex.

Litigation

(q)       To the best of the knowledge of Meridex, there are no claims, demands, disputes, actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending or threatened against or, directly or indirectly, affecting Meridex (including without limitation, restraining or preventing

 

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Meridex from issuing Meridex Shares in accordance with this Agreement), at law or in equity or before or by any federal, provincial, municipal or other local court or Governmental Entity, domestic or foreign, nor is Meridex subject to any presently effective adverse order, writ, injunction or decree of any such body.

Brokers

(r)       Meridex has not entered a verbal agreement which would entitle Michael Flowerdew to a broker’s commission and/or finder’s fee matters contemplated by this Agreement. The fees are to be paid under the policies of the CSE and are currently under negotiations.

Dividends

(s)       Meridex has not, directly or indirectly, declared or paid any dividend or declared or made any other distribution on any of its shares or securities or, directly or indirectly, redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired any of its shares or securities or agreed to do any of the foregoing.

Approvals

(t)       No approval of, registration, declaration or filing by Meridex with any federal, provincial, municipal or local court or Governmental Entity is necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement, or any and all of the documents and instruments to be delivered under this Agreement, by Meridex or the consummation by Meridex of the transactions contemplated herein, other than compliance with any applicable Laws and any required approval of the CSE.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

(u)       Computershare Investor Services Inc. at its offices in Vancouver, British Columbia has been duly appointed as the transfer agent and registrar for all of the outstanding common shares of Meridex.

Share Issuance

(v)       On the Closing Date, the Meridex Shares to be issued by Meridex to BSI Shareholders pursuant to this Agreement will be duly authorized and validly allotted and issued as fully paid and non-assessable Meridex Shares to BSI Shareholders.

Name Change

(w)       Meridex shall effect a Name Change in connection with the Closing.

Reliance

3.2       The representations and warranties in §3.1 are made with the knowledge and expectation that BSI and the BSI Shareholders are placing complete reliance thereon. Such

 

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reliance will not be affected by any investigation or examination conducted by BSI or the BSI Shareholders or their representatives before or after the date of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 4

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN RESPECT OF BSI

Representations and Warranties in Respect of BSI

4.1        The BSI and the BSI Shareholders and jointly and severally represent and warrant to Meridex as follows and acknowledge that Meridex is relying on such representations and warranties in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby:

Incorporation, Organization and Authority of BSI

(a)       BSI is a corporation duly incorporated, organized and validly subsisting and in good standing under the laws of [British Columbia], and has all the requisite corporate capacity and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and to carry on its business and to own, lease and operate BSI Assets.

Necessary Proceedings

(b)       All necessary or required corporate measures, proceedings and actions of the directors and shareholders of BSI have been taken to authorize and enable BSI to enter into and deliver this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which BSI is a party and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder.

Valid and Binding Obligation

(c)       This Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which BSI is a party have been duly executed and delivered by BSI and constitute, or when duly executed and delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of BSI, enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms subject only to:

(i)       any limitation under applicable Laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization and other similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally; and

(ii)       the fact that equitable remedies, including the remedies of specific performance and injunction, may only be granted in the discretion of a court.

Share Capital of BSI

(d)       The authorized capital of BSI consists of 100 common shares, of which 100 common shares are duly and validly issued and outstanding as fully paid and nonassessable shares as at the date hereof. Other than as disclosed to Meridex in writing, there is no other agreement, obligation (contractual or otherwise), right or option, existing

 

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or pending pursuant to which BSI is or might be required to issue any further shares or other securities of its capital. Other than the BSI Shares, there are no other securities of BSI issued or outstanding.

BSI Assets

(e)       Schedule 4.1(e) contains a list of all material BSI Assets. Other than the Permitted Liens or other than as disclosed in writing to Meridex, BSI has good and marketable title to the BSI Assets free and clear of any actual, pending or, to the knowledge or belief of BSI, threatened claims, Liens or set-offs whatsoever, including without limitation any action, proceeding or investigation affecting title to BSI Assets, at law or in equity, before any court, administrative agency or Governmental Entity, to all of BSI Assets and to any properties, except those sold in the ordinary course of business during such period, save and except in any case which would not have a material adverse effect. Other than as disclosed to Meridex in writing, BSI has not granted or entered into any agreement, option, understanding or commitment or any encumbrance of or disposal of the BSI Assets or an interest therein or any right or privilege capable of becoming an agreement or option with respect to the BSI Assets and will not do so prior to the Closing Date, save and except in any case which would not have a material adverse effect.

Intellectual Property

(f) (i) Sazzad or BSI now, or at closing will, own or have the valid rights to use all of the BSI Intellectual Property. BSI has a valid and enforceable right to use all third party Intellectual Property used or held for use in the business of BSI.

(ii)       To Sazzad’s and BSI’s knowledge, the conduct of BSI’s business as currently conducted does not infringe or otherwise impair or conflict with (collectively, “Infringe”) any Intellectual Property rights of any third party or any confidentiality obligation owed to a third party, and the Intellectual Property of BSI which is material to the conduct of the business of BSI as currently conducted or as currently proposed to be conducted is not, to BSI’s knowledge, being Infringed by any third party.

Pre-emptive Rights

(g)       No Person has any agreement or option or any right or privilege (whether by law, pre-emptive or contractual) capable of becoming an agreement or option for the purchase, subscription or issuance from treasury of any shares or other securities of BSI or securities convertible into, exchangeable for, or which carry the right to purchase common shares or other securities of BSI.

Financial Statements

(h)       The BSI Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP and present fairly the assets, liabilities (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) and financial condition of BSI as of the respective dates thereof and the

 

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consolidated sales, income and results of operations of BSI for the respective financial periods covered thereby.

Auditors

(i)       The auditors of BSI who audited the BSI Financial Statements and delivered the audit report with respect to those statements are independent public accountants.

Material Information

(j)       There are no material facts or material information, which exist, and there has been no material change in the capital, business, BSI Assets, liabilities, obligations, condition (absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise), results of operations, financial position, capital or long-term debt, affairs or prospects of BSI since the date of the BSI Financial Statements, which have not been disclosed in writing to Meridex.

Business of BSI

(k)       Other than as disclosed in writing to Meridex, BSI has conducted and is conducting its business in all material respects in full compliance with all applicable Laws, rules and regulations of each jurisdiction in which its business is carried on and holds all necessary licenses, permits, approvals, consents, certificates, registrations and authorizations, whether governmental, regulatory or otherwise, to enable its business to be carried on as it is currently conducted and its property and assets to be owned, leased and operated, and the same are validly existing and in good standing and none of such licenses, permits, approvals, consents, certificates, registrations and authorizations contains any burdensome term, provision, condition or limitation, save and except in any case which would not have a material adverse effect.

Liabilities of BSI

(l)       There are no known liabilities (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) of BSI of any kind whatsoever, and, to the best of the knowledge of BSI, there is no basis for assertion against BSI of any liabilities of any kind, other than:

(i)       liabilities disclosed or reflected in or provided for in the BSI Financial Statements; or

(ii)       liabilities incurred since the date of the BSI Financial Statements which were incurred in the ordinary course of the routine daily affairs of BSI’s business or, in the aggregate, are not materially adverse to their businesses.

Indebtedness

(m)       Other than Indebtedness of BSI to Meridex and Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business, BSI has no Indebtedness and is not under any obligation to create or issue any bonds, debentures, mortgages, promissory notes or other Indebtedness.

 

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Guarantees

(n)       BSI is not a party to, or bound by, any agreement of guarantee, indemnification, assumption or endorsement or any like commitment of the obligations, liabilities (contingent or otherwise) or indebtedness of any other Person.

Tax Matters

(o)       Other than as disclosed to Meridex in writing, BSI is not in arrears or in default in respect of the filing of any required federal, provincial or municipal tax or other tax return; and (i) all taxes, filing fees and other assessments due and payable or collectible from BSI will have been paid or collected prior to the Closing Date, (ii) no claim for additional taxes, filing fees or other amounts and assessments due and payable or collectible from BSI has been made or threatened which has not been collected, and (iii) to the best of the knowledge of BSI, no such return contains any misstatement or conceals any statement that should have been included therein.

Absence of Other Agreements

(p)       Other than as disclosed to Meridex in writing, BSI:

(i)       is not a party to any Material Contract;

(ii)       is not a party to, nor operates any bonus, pension, profit sharing, deferred compensation, retirement, hospitalization insurance, medical insurance or similar plan or practice, formal and informal, in effect with respect to any employees of BSI;

(iii)       is not bound by any agreement whether written or oral with any employee of BSI providing for a specified period of notice of termination nor providing for any fixed term of employment, and has now and as of the Closing Date will have no employees who cannot be dismissed upon such notice as applicable Law may permit;

(iv)       is not bound by any outstanding contract or commitment which requires prior approval of any change of control of BSI; and

(v)       is not bound by any outstanding contract or commitment except those entered into in the ordinary course of business and is not in default under any material contract by which it is bound or under which it is entitled to the benefits of and advantages thereof, save and except in any case which would not have a material adverse effect.

Good Standing of Agreements

(q)       Schedule 4.1(q) contains a list of all contracts material to Meridex. Other than as disclosed to Meridex in writing, BSI is not in default or breach of any of its obligations under any one or more contracts, agreements (written or oral), commitments, indentures

 

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or other instruments to which it is a party or by which it is bound save and except in any case which would not have a material adverse effect and there exists no state of facts which, to the best of the knowledge of BSI, after notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default or breach. All such contracts, agreements, commitments, indentures and other instruments have been duly authorized, executed and delivered and are now in good standing and in full force and effect without amendment thereto, BSI is entitled to all benefits thereunder and, to the best of the knowledge of BSI, the other parties to such contracts, agreements, commitments, indentures and other instruments are not in default or breach of any of their obligations thereunder save and except in any case which would not have a material adverse effect.

BSI Corporate Records

(r)       The corporate records and minute books of BSI contain substantially complete and accurate minutes of all meetings of the directors and shareholders of BSI held since its incorporation, and signed copies of all resolutions and by-laws duly passed or confirmed by the directors or shareholders of BSI other than at a meeting, all such meetings having been duly called and held. The share certificate books, register of security holders, register of transfers and register of directors and any similar corporate records of BSI are complete and accurate.

No Breach Caused by this Agreement

(s)       The execution, delivery and performance by BSI of its obligations under this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not (i) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any provision of any applicable Laws or any license, approval, consent or authorization held by BSI, (ii) require any notice or consent or other action by any Person under, contravene, conflict with, violate, breach or constitute a default or an event that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default, under, or cause or permit the termination, cancellation, acceleration or other change of any right or obligation or the loss of any benefit to which BSI is entitled under, or give rise to any rights of first refusal or trigger any change in control provisions or any restriction under, any provision of any Material Contract or other instrument binding upon BSI or affecting any of its assets, or (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of BSI, with such exceptions, in the case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii), as do not have or would not have, or be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect. 

Litigation

(t)       To the best of the knowledge of BSI, there are no claims, demands, disputes, actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending or threatened against or directly or indirectly affecting BSI, at law or in equity or before or by any federal, provincial, municipal or other governmental court, department or Governmental Entity, domestic or foreign, nor is BSI subject to any presently effective adverse order, writ, injunction or decree of any such body.

 

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No Brokers

(u)       Except as disclosed in writing to Meridex, BSI has not entered into any agreement which would entitle any Person to any valid claim against Meridex or BSI for a broker’s commission, finder’s fee or any like payment in respect of any matters contemplated by this Agreement.

Environmental Matters

(v) (i)       BSI carries on its business and operates and maintains the properties and assets used in its business in compliance with all applicable Environmental Law in all material respects and, to the knowledge of BSI, there are no facts at the date hereof that will give rise to a notice of non-compliance by BSI with any applicable Environmental Law.

 

(ii)       BSI has all material Environmental Permits required for it to operate its business and to own, use and operate the properties and assets used in such business, except in any case where the failure to hold an Environmental Permit would not have a material adverse effect.

(iii)       BSI has not used any of the facilities or real property owned, leased, occupied or used by it (including any real property previously owned, leased, occupied or used by it) (the “Real Property”), or permitted them to be used, to refine, treat, dispose, produce or process Hazardous Substances except in material compliance with all Environmental Law and Environmental Permits held by BSI.

(iv)       BSI has not received written notice, nor does BSI have knowledge of any facts that could give rise to any notice, that BSI is potentially responsible for any remedial or other corrective action or any work, repairs, construction or capital expenditures to be made under any Environmental Law with respect to their respective business or the Real Property.

Dividends

(w)       Except as disclosed in writing to Meridex, BSI has not, directly or indirectly, declared or paid any dividend or declared or made any other distribution on any of its shares or securities or, directly or indirectly, redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired any of its shares or securities or agreed to do any of the foregoing.

Approvals

(x)       No approval of, registration, declaration or filing with any federal, provincial or local court or Governmental Entity is necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement, or any and all of the documents and instruments to be detailed under this Agreement by BSI or the consummation by BSI of the transactions contemplated herein, other than compliance with any applicable Laws.

 

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Compliance with Laws

(y)       Other than as disclosed to Meridex in writing and as set out in this Agreement, BSI is not in violation of any federal, provincial, municipal or other law, regulation or order of any Government Entity, domestic or foreign.

Knowledge of BSI

(z)       BSI does not have any information or knowledge of any material facts relating to the business of BSI that, if known to Meridex, might reasonably be expected to deter Meridex from completing the purchase and sale contemplated herein, or the consummation by Meridex of the other transactions contemplated herein.

Shareholders’ Agreements, etc.

(aa) Other than the power of attorney granted by the BSI Shareholders to BSI under this Agreement, there are no shareholders’ agreements, pooling agreements, voting trusts or other similar agreements with respect to the ownership or voting of any of the shares of BSI.

No Bankruptcy

(bb) No proceedings have been taken, are pending or authorized by BSI or by any other person in respect of the bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or winding up of BSI.

Reliance

4.2       The representations and warranties in §4.1 are made with the knowledge and expectation that Meridex is placing complete reliance thereon. Such reliance will not be affected by any investigation or examination conducted by Meridex, or its representatives before or after the date of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE 5

SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Survival of Representations and Warranties

5.1       The representations and warranties made by Meridex, BSI and the BSI

Shareholders and contained in this Agreement will continue in full force and effect for the benefit of the respective Party or Parties, as applicable, subject to the following:

(a)       except as provided in §5.1(b) and §5.1(c), Meridex, BSI and the BSI Shareholders may make or bring any claim for a period of three years from the Closing Date;

(b)       any claim which is based upon or relates to the tax liability of BSI or Meridex for a particular taxation year may be made or brought at any time prior to the expiration of

 

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the period (if any) during which an assessment, reassessment or other form of recognized document assessing liability for tax, interest or penalties in respect of such taxation year under applicable tax legislation could be issued, assuming that a waiver or similar document extending such period has not been filed; and

(c)       any claim which is based upon or relates to the title to the Meridex Shares or BSI Shares in connection with this Agreement or which is based upon an intentional misrepresentation or fraud by Meridex, BSI, or any of the BSI Shareholders may be brought at any time.

5.2       After the expiration of the period of time referred to in §5.1, Meridex, BSI and the BSI Shareholders will be released from any and all obligations and liabilities in respect of the representations and warranties made by each of them and contained in this Agreement or in any document or certificate given in order to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby, except with respect to any claims made by any of the Parties in writing prior to the expiration of such period and subject to the rights of each of the Parties to make any claim permitted by §5.1(b) and §5.1(c).

 

ARTICLE 6

COVENANTS IN RESPECT OF BSI

Covenants in Respect of BSI

6.1       BSI and the BSI Shareholders hereby covenant and agree with Meridex as follows:

 

Investigations and Availability of Records

(a)       Meridex and its directors, officers, auditors, counsel and other authorized representatives will be permitted to make such commercially reasonable investigations of the properties, the BSI Assets and businesses of BSI and of its financial and legal conditions as Meridex reasonably deems necessary or desirable, provided always that such investigations will not unduly interfere with the operations of BSI. If reasonably requested, BSI will provide copies of the corporate records of BSI, including its minute books, share ledgers and the records maintained in connection with the businesses of BSI. Such investigations will not, however, affect or mitigate in any way the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, which representations and warranties will continue in full force and effect for the benefit of Meridex.

Necessary Consents

(b)       BSI will use its commercially reasonable best efforts to obtain from BSI’s directors, shareholders and all appropriate Governmental Entities such approvals or consents as are required (if any) to complete the transactions contemplated herein.

 

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Confidentiality

(c) (i)         BSI will keep confidential any confidential information, trade secrets or confidential financial or business documents (collectively the “Meridex Information”) received by it from Meridex concerning Meridex or its business and will not disclose such Meridex Information to any third party; provided that any of such Meridex Information may be disclosed to BSI’s directors, officers, employees, representatives and professional advisors who need to know such Meridex Information in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (provided BSI will use all reasonable efforts to ensure that such directors, officers, employees, representatives and professional advisors keep confidential such Meridex Information) and provided further that BSI will not be liable for disclosure of Meridex Information upon occurrence of one or more of the following events:

 

(A)       Meridex Information becoming generally known to the public other than through a breach of this Agreement;

(B)       Meridex Information being lawfully obtained by BSI from a third party or parties without breach of this Agreement by BSI, as shown by documentation sufficient to establish the third party as a source of Meridex Information;

(C)       Meridex Information being known to BSI prior to disclosure by Meridex or its Affiliates, as shown by documentation sufficient to establish such knowledge; or

(D)       Meridex having provided their prior written approval for such disclosure by BSI.

(ii)       In the event this Agreement is terminated in accordance with the provisions hereof, BSI will:

(A)       use all reasonable efforts to ensure that all documents prepared or obtained in the course of its investigations of Meridex or its business and all copies thereof (except for copies that are maintained for archival purposes) are either destroyed or returned to Meridex so as to insure that, so far as possible, any Meridex Information obtained during and as a result of such investigations by the directors, officers, employees, representatives and professional advisors of BSI is not disseminated beyond those individuals concerned with such investigations; and

(B)       not directly or indirectly, use for its own purposes, any Meridex Information, discovered or acquired by the directors, officers, employees representatives and professional advisors of BSI as a result of Meridex making available to them those documents and assets relating to the business of Meridex.

 

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Status and Filings

(d)       BSI will maintain its corporate status and comply with all applicable corporate and securities requirements (including any applicable filing requirements) prior to Closing.

Material Change

(e)       BSI agrees to provide prompt and full disclosure to Meridex of any material information, change or event in the business, operations, financial condition or other affairs of BSI prior to Closing.

Supplements to CSE Listing Statement

(f)       BSI will use its commercially reasonable best efforts to provide information to Meridex about the business and affairs of BSI in order to assist Meridex in its preparation of any supplements or amendments to the CSE Listing Statement. In this connection, BSI will:

(i)       ensure that all information provided by it or on its behalf that is contained in the CSE Listing Statement does not contain any misrepresentation or any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated in the CSE Listing Statement and necessary to make any statement that it contains not misleading in light of the circumstances in which it is made; and

(ii)       promptly notify Meridex if, at any time before the Closing Date, it becomes aware that the CSE Listing Statement, or any other public document contains a misrepresentation, an untrue statement of material fact, omits to state a material fact required to be stated in those documents that is necessary to make any statement it contains not misleading in light of the circumstances in which it is made or that otherwise requires an amendment or a supplement to those documents.

BSI Securities

(g)       BSI will not issue any BSI Shares or any other securities of BSI except with the prior written consent of Meridex.

Indebtedness and Working Capital

(h)       Prior to Closing, BSI will satisfy or cancel all Indebtedness of BSI, including all Indebtedness of BSI owed to the BSI Shareholders and Affiliates of BSI.

(i)       On the Closing, BSI will have a working capital surplus and no Indebtedness.

 

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No Acquisitions

(j)       BSI will not, and will not permit any Affiliate of BSI to, acquire or agree to acquire by amalgamation, arrangement, merger or consolidation with, or by purchasing a substantial portion of the assets of, or by any other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership, association of other business organization or division thereof or otherwise acquire or agree to acquire any assets which are material, individually or in the aggregate, to the business of BSI.

No Dispositions

(k)       Except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, BSI will not, and will not permit any Affiliate of BSI to, sell, lease, transfer, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of any of their assets or cancel, release or assign any indebtedness or claim.

Normal Course

(l)       During the period from the date of this Agreement to the earlier of the completion of the Acquisition or termination of this Agreement, BSI will operate its business in the usual and ordinary course and will not declare any dividend on, or make other distributions in respect of its outstanding shares, make any distribution, payment or repayment to any non-arm’s length party, enter into any non-arm’s length contracts, issue any securities (other than on the exercise of convertible securities that are currently outstanding), or make any bonus payments to or increase the compensation or benefits of any directors, officer or employee, other than in the usual and ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or pursuant to existing contractual agreements.

Exclusive Dealing

(m)       During the period from the date of this Agreement to the earlier of the completion of the Acquisition or termination of this Agreement, neither BSI, BSI Shareholders, nor any of their respective representatives, associates or affiliates will, unless in any such case specifically authorized in writing by Meridex, directly or indirectly, solicit, initiate or encourage any expression of interest, proposal or offers from or negotiations with, provide information to or facilitate or engage in any discussions or negotiations with, enter into any agreement, commitment or understanding with, or otherwise act jointly or in concert with, any person other than Meridex in order to propose or effect any transaction involving BSI which is similar to the Acquisition, including, without limitation (i) the acquisition or disposition of all or any substantial part of the issued or unissued shares of BSI or any of its affiliates, or (ii) any arrangement, amalgamation, merger, sale of assets, take-over bid, reorganization, recapitalization, liquidation or winding-up of, or other business combination or similar transaction involving BSI or any of its affiliates and any other party (other than Meridex) (each an “Alternative Transaction”). BSI will immediately notify Meridex, in writing, upon receipt of any expression of interest, proposal or offer from any Person relating to an Alternative Transaction and will forthwith disclose to Meridex all relevant details thereof.

 

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Compliance with Laws

(n)       BSI will not do any act or take any steps that would be in violation or contrary to any applicable Laws in any material respect.

All Other Actions

(o)       BSI will use all reasonable efforts to satisfy each of the conditions precedent set out in this Agreement to be satisfied by it as soon as practical and in any event before the Closing Date, and to take, or cause to be taken, all other actions and to do, or cause to be done, all other things necessary, proper or advisable that are commercially reasonable to permit the completion of the Acquisition in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and applicable Laws.

ARTICLE 7

COVENANTS OF THE BSI SHAREHOLDERS

Covenants of the BSI Shareholders

7.1       Each of the BSI Shareholders hereby covenants and agrees with Meridex as follows:

 

Delivery of Share Certificates

(a)       The BSI Shareholder entitled to receive Meridex Shares in exchange for such shareholder’s BSI Shares as set out in §2.1 will on or after Closing surrender the certificate or certificates representing the BSI Shares held by it to Meridex and in return will be entitled to receive a certificate representing Meridex Shares on the basis set out herein. Until such surrender and exchange, the share certificate or certificates, representing BSI Shares held by the BSI Shareholder will be evidence of its right to be registered as a holder of Meridex Shares.

Filing of Reports

(b)       The BSI Shareholders consent to, and will assist Meridex with, the filing by Meridex from time to time of any reports or other documents required by the CSE or any securities commission or similar regulatory authority with respect to the issuance of Meridex Shares pursuant to this Agreement or any matter provided for herein.

Escrow, Protection of Corporate Interests and other Agreements

(c)       The BSI Shareholders will each execute and deliver to Meridex such agreements and documents, and take such further action, as may reasonably be required by Meridex or the CSE to give effect to the Acquisition or any matter provided for herein. Without limiting the foregoing, each BSI Shareholders will each execute and deliver to Meridex

 

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the Escrow Agreement and a protection of corporate interest agreement (the “Protection of Corporate Interest Agreement”) substantially in the form set out on Schedule 7.1(c).

Power of Attorney

(d)       The BSI Shareholders hereby irrevocably authorize BSI:

(i)       to act as their representatives at the Closing and to execute in each of their names and on their behalf all closing receipts and documents required;

(ii)       to complete or correct any errors or omissions in or to make non-material amendments, modifications or supplements to any form or document, including this Agreement, provided by the BSI Shareholders;

(iii)       to receive on each of their behalf certificates representing the Meridex Shares purchased under this Agreement;

(iv)       to approve any opinions, certificates or other documents addressed to the BSI Shareholders;

(v)       to waive, in whole or in part, any representations, warranties, covenants or conditions for the benefit of the BSI Shareholders and contained in this Agreement, including without limitation under §14.11, or any of the Ancillary Agreements to which either of the BSI Shareholders is a party; and

(vi)       to exercise any rights of termination contained in this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements to which either of the BSI Shareholders is a party, including without limitation under Article 12.

ARTICLE 8

COVENANTS OF MERIDEX

Covenants of Meridex

8.1       Meridex hereby covenants and agrees with BSI as follows:

Investigations and Availability of Records

(a)       BSI and its directors, officers, auditors, counsel and other authorized representatives will be permitted to make such commercially reasonable investigations of the property, assets and business of Meridex and of its financial and legal condition as BSI reasonably deems necessary or desirable, provided that such investigations will not unduly interfere with the operations of Meridex. If reasonably requested, Meridex will provide copies of Meridex’s corporate records, including its minute books, share ledgers and the records maintained in connection with the business of Meridex. Such investigations will not, however, affect or mitigate in any way the representations and

 

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warranties contained in this Agreement, which representations and warranties will continue in full force and effect for the benefit of BSI.

Necessary Consents

(b)       Meridex will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain from Meridex’s directors, shareholders and all appropriate Governmental Entities such approvals or consents as are required (if any) to complete the transactions contemplated herein.

Confidentiality
(c) (i) Meridex will keep confidential any confidential information, trade secrets or confidential financial or business documents (collectively the “BSI Information”) received by it from BSI concerning BSI or its business and will not disclose such Information to any third party; provided that any of such BSI Information may be disclosed to Meridex’s directors, officers, employees, representatives and professional advisors who need to know such BSI Information in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (provided Meridex will use all reasonable efforts to ensure that such directors, officers, employees, representatives and professional advisors keep confidential such BSI Information) and provided further that Meridex will not be liable for disclosure of BSI Information upon the occurrence of one or more of the following events:

(A)       BSI Information becoming generally known to the public other than through a breach of this Agreement;

(B)       BSI Information being lawfully obtained by Meridex from a third party or parties without breach of this Agreement by Meridex, as shown by documentation sufficient to establish the third party as a source of BSI Information;

(C)       BSI Information being known to Meridex prior to disclosure by BSI, or its Affiliates, as shown by documentation sufficient to establish such knowledge; or

(D)       BSI having provided its prior written approval for such disclosure by Meridex.

(ii) In the event this Agreement is terminated in accordance with the provisions hereof, Meridex will:

(A)       use all reasonable efforts to ensure that all documents prepared or obtained in the course of its investigations of BSI or its business and all copies thereof (except for copies that are maintained for archival purposes) are either destroyed or returned to BSI so as to insure that, so far as possible, any BSI Information obtained during and as a result of such investigations by the directors, officers, employees, representatives and

 

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professional advisors of Meridex is not disseminated beyond those individuals concerned with such investigations; and

(B)       not directly or indirectly, use for its own purposes, any BSI Information, discovered or acquired by the directors, officers, employees, representatives and professional advisors of Meridex as a result of BSI making available to them those documents and assets relating to the business of BSI.

Approval of Acquisition and Name Change

(d)       Meridex will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the approval of the CSE and any Regulatory Approvals for the Acquisition and the Name Change.

Status and Filings

(e)       Meridex will maintain its corporate status and comply with all applicable corporate and securities requirements (including any applicable filing requirements) prior to Closing.

Material Change

(f)       Meridex agrees to conduct its business in the ordinary course prior to closing and to provide prompt and full disclosure to BSI of any material information, change or event in the business, operations, financial condition or other affairs of Meridex prior to Closing.

Supplements to the CSE Listing Statement

(g)       Meridex will prepare any supplements or amendments to the CSE Listing Statement that may be required to be filed in connection with the transactions contemplated herein.

Compliance with Laws

(h)       Meridex will not do any act or take any steps that would be in violation or contrary to the Securities Act or any other applicable Laws in any material respect.

All Other Actions

(i)       Meridex will use commercially reasonable efforts to satisfy each of the conditions precedent set out in this Agreement to be satisfied by it as soon as practical and in any event before the Closing Date, and to take, or cause to be taken, all other actions and to do, or cause to be done, all other things necessary, proper or advisable that are commercially reasonable to permit the completion of the Acquisition in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and applicable Laws.

 

 

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ARTICLE 9

INDEMNIFICATION

Mutual Indemnifications for Breaches of Warranty

9.1       Subject to §9.2, Meridex hereby covenants and agrees with each of BSI and the BSI Shareholders, and each of BSI and the BSI Shareholders hereby jointly and severally covenants and agrees with Meridex, (the Parties covenanting and agreeing to indemnify another Party under this section are hereinafter individually referred to as the “Indemnifying Party” and the Party being indemnified by another Party under this §9.1 are hereinafter individually referred to as the “Indemnified Party”) to indemnify and save harmless the Indemnified Party from and against any claims which may be made or brought against the Indemnified Party or which it may suffer or incur as a result of, or arising out of any non-fulfillment of any covenant or agreement on the part of the Indemnifying Party under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or any incorrectness in or breach of any representation or warranty of the Indemnifying Party contained in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

Limitation on Mutual Indemnification

9.2       The indemnification obligations of each of the Parties pursuant to §9.1 will be subject to the following:

(a)       the applicable limitation mentioned in Article 5 respecting the survival of the representations and warranties; and

(b)       an Indemnifying Party will not be required to indemnify an Indemnified Party until the aggregate claims sustained by that Indemnified Party exceeds a value of $5,000, in which case, the Indemnifying Party will be obligated to the Indemnified Party for all claims.

Procedure for Indemnification

9.3       The following provisions will apply to any Claims for which an Indemnifying Party may be obligated to indemnify an Indemnified Party pursuant to this Agreement:

(a)       upon receipt from a third party by the Indemnified Party of notice of a claim or the Indemnified Party becoming aware of a claim in respect of which the Indemnified Party proposes to demand indemnification from the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnified Party will give notice to that effect to the Indemnifying Party with reasonable promptness, provided that failure to give such notice will not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability it may have to the Indemnified Party except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is prejudiced thereby;

(b)       in the case of Claims arising from third parties, the Indemnifying Party will have the right by notice to the Indemnified Party not later than 30 days after receipt of the notice described in §9.3(a) above to assume the control of the defense, compromise or settlement of the claims, provided that such assumption will, by its terms, be without

 

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costs to the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party will at the Indemnified Party’s request furnish it with reasonable security against any costs or other liabilities to which it may be or become exposed by reason of such defense, compromise or settlement;

(c)       upon the assumption of control by the Indemnifying Party as aforesaid, the Indemnifying Party will diligently proceed with the defense, compromise or settlement of the claims at its sole expense, including employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and, in connection therewith, the Indemnified Party will co-operate fully, but at the expense of the Indemnifying Party, to make available to the Indemnifying Party all pertinent information and witnesses under the Indemnified Party’s control, make such assignments and take such other steps as in the opinion of counsel for the Indemnifying Party are necessary to enable the Indemnifying Party to conduct such defense; provided always that the Indemnified Party will be entitled to reasonable security from the Indemnifying Party for any expense, costs or other liabilities to which it may be or may become exposed by reason of such co-operation;

(d)       the final determination of any such claims arising from third parties, including all related costs and expenses, will be binding and conclusive upon the Parties as to the validity or invalidity, as the case may be, of such claims against the Indemnifying Party hereunder; and

(e)       should the Indemnifying Party fail to give notice to the Indemnified Party as provided in §9.3(b) above, the Indemnified Party will be entitled to make such settlement of the claims as in its sole discretion may appear reasonably advisable, and such settlement or any other final determination of the claims will be binding upon the Indemnifying Party.

ARTICLE 10

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

Mutual Conditions Precedent

10.1       The transactions contemplated herein are subject to the following conditions to be

fulfilled or performed on or prior to the Closing Date, which conditions are for the mutual benefit of both Meridex and the BSI Shareholders, and may be waived by Meridex and the BSI Shareholders, in writing:

(a)       all required approvals, consents and authorizations of third parties in respect of the transactions contemplated herein, including without limitation all necessary shareholder and Regulatory Approvals, will have been obtained on terms acceptable to Meridex and the BSI Shareholders acting reasonably;

(b)       the CSE will have conditionally approved the Acquisition;

(c)       there will not be in force any injunction, order or decree which constitutes or if this Acquisition was consummated would constitute a material adverse effect;

 

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(d)       all items required by the CSE in respect of the transactions contemplated herein will have been obtained, including, if applicable, shareholder approvals; and

(e)       there will not exist any prohibition or law against the completion of the Acquisition and there will not be enacted, promulgated or applied any Governmental Order to enjoin, prohibit or impose any material limitations or conditions on the Acquisition.

Conditions for the Benefit of Meridex

10.2       The transactions contemplated herein are subject to the following conditions to be fulfilled or performed on or prior to the Closing Date, which conditions are for the exclusive benefit of Meridex and may be waived, in whole or in part, by Meridex in its sole discretion:

 

(a)       the representations and warranties of BSI and the BSI Shareholders contained in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement will have been true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and will be true and correct as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if such representations and warranties had been made on and as of the Closing Date, save and except in any case which would not have a material adverse effect;

(b)       BSI and the BSI Shareholders will have performed, fulfilled or complied with, in all material respects, all of its obligations, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement and in any Ancillary Agreement to be fulfilled or complied with by BSI and the BSI Shareholders at or prior to the Closing Date;

(c)       Each of the BSI Shareholders will have entered into the Escrow Agreement and a Protection of Corporate Interests Agreement, and Sazzad will have entered into an employment agreement with Meridex;

(d)       BSI will have settled, in exchange for BSI Shares, all shareholders loans of BSI and debt owed to any related party of BSI;

(e)       other than Indebtedness of BSI to Meridex, BSI will not have incurred or guaranteed any Indebtedness without Meridex’s prior written consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld;

(f)       BSI will not have entered into any material agreements with any third party other than Meridex after the date of this Agreement without Meridex’s prior written consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld;

(g)       Meridex will be satisfied, in its sole discretion acting reasonably, as to the results of its due diligence investigation of BSI’ business and financial matters;

(h)       Meridex will have received a certificate of BSI addressed to Meridex and dated the Closing Date, signed on behalf of BSI by a senior executive officer of BSI, confirming that the conditions in § 10.2(a), (b), (d), (e), (f), 10.2(j), and (k) have been satisfied;

 

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(i)       legal opinions as customarily provided in transactions similar to the Acquisition, from legal counsel for BSI and the BSI Shareholders dated the Closing Date and in a form satisfactory to Meridex and its counsel, acting reasonably, will have been received by Meridex at the Closing;

(j)       no action or proceeding will be pending or threatened by any Person (other than Meridex) in any jurisdiction, to enjoin, restrict or prohibit any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the right of BSI to conduct its business after the Closing Date on substantially the same basis as operated immediately prior to the date hereof and no action, suit or legal proceeding will have been taken before or by any Governmental Entity or by any Person that would, if successful, have a material adverse effect on BSI; and

(k)       since the date of this Agreement, there will have been no material adverse effect with respect to BSI, or any event, occurrence or development, including the commencement of any action, suit or other legal proceeding which would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on BSI.

Conditions for the Benefit of BSI Shareholders

10.3       The transactions contemplated herein are subject to the following conditions to be fulfilled or performed on or prior to the Closing Date, which conditions are for the exclusive benefit of the BSI Shareholders and may be waived, in whole or in part, by the BSI Shareholders in their sole discretion:

 

(a)       the representations and warranties of Meridex contained in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement will have been true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and will be true and correct as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if such representations and warranties had been made on and as of such Closing Date, save and except in any case which would not have a material adverse effect on Meridex;

(b)       Meridex will have performed, fulfilled or complied with, in all material respects, all of its obligations, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement and in any Ancillary Agreement to be fulfilled or complied with by Meridex at or prior to the Closing Date;

(c)       the BSI Shareholders will have received a certificate of Meridex addressed to the BSI Shareholders and dated the Closing Date, signed on behalf of Meridex by a senior executive officer of Meridex, confirming that the conditions in § 10.3(a) and (b) have been satisfied.

 

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ARTICLE 11

CLOSING

Time of Closing

11.1       The Closing of the transactions contemplated herein will be completed at the offices of McMillan LLP, Suite 1500, 1055 West Georgia Street Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 4N7, at 10:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) on the Closing Date, or at such other time and place as may be mutually agreed upon by the Parties hereto.

 

ARTICLE 12

TERMINATION

Termination by Meridex

12.1       If any of the conditions set forth in §10.1 or §10.2 have not been fulfilled or waived at or prior to the Closing Date or any obligation or covenant of BSI or the BSI Shareholders to be performed at or prior to the Closing Date has not been observed or performed by such time, Meridex may terminate this Agreement by notice in writing to BSI (which will constitute notice in writing to the BSI Shareholders), and in such event Meridex will be released from all obligations hereunder save and except for its obligations under Article 9 and §8.1(c) and §13.1, which will survive. If Meridex waives compliance with any of the conditions, obligations or covenants contained in this Agreement, the waiver will be without prejudice to any of its rights of termination in the event of non-fulfilment, non-observance or non-performance of any other condition, obligation, or covenant in whole or in part.

Termination by BSI

12.2       If any of the conditions set forth in §10.1 or §10.3 have not been fulfilled or waived at or prior to Closing Date or any obligation or covenant of Meridex to be performed at or prior to the Closing Date has not been observed or performed by such time and such failure is not as a result of a material breach of any provision of this Agreement or default of a covenant or obligation hereunder by BSI, BSI may terminate this Agreement by notice in writing to Meridex, and in such event BSI and the BSI Shareholders will be released from all obligations hereunder save and except for their obligations under Article 9 and §6.1(c) and §13.1, which will survive. If BSI (on its own behalf and on behalf of the BSI Shareholders) waives compliance with any of the conditions, obligations or covenants contained in this Agreement, the waiver will be without prejudice to any of their rights of termination in the event of non-fulfilment, non-observance or non-performance of any other condition, obligation or covenant in whole or in part.

Other Termination Rights

12.3       This Agreement may, by notice in writing given prior to or on the Closing Date, be terminated:

 

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(a)       by mutual consent of Meridex and BSI; and

(b)       by either Meridex or BSI if the Acquisition is not consummated by September 30, 2014 or such other date as may be agreed to by Meridex and BSI, provided that no Party may terminate this Agreement under this § 12.3(b) if such party is in a material breach of any provision of this Agreement or otherwise in default of a covenant or obligation hereunder;

and, in such event, each Party will be released from all obligations under this Agreement, save and except for its obligations, if any, under Article 9 and §6.1(c), §8.1(c) and §13.1, which will survive.

Effect of Termination

12.4       Each Party’s right of termination under this Article 12 is in addition to any other rights it may have under this Agreement or otherwise, and the exercise of a right of termination will not be an election of remedies. Nothing in Article 12 will limit or affect any other rights or causes of action the Parties may have with respect to the representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities in its favour contained in this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE 13

EXPENSES

Responsibility for Own Costs

13.1       Each Party will be responsible for its own legal and audit fees and other charges incurred in connection with the preparation of this Agreement, all negotiations between the Parties and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

ARTICLE 14

GENERAL

Public Announcement

14.1       No party to this Agreement will make any press release, public announcement or public statement about the transactions contemplated herein which has not been previously approved by the other, except that either party may make a press release or filing with a regulatory authority if counsel for such party advises that such press release or filing is necessary, in which case such party will first make a reasonable effort to obtain the approval of the other. Notwithstanding the foregoing, immediately after the execution of this Agreement, BSI and Meridex will issue a joint public announcement, announcing the entering into of this Agreement, which announcement will address all matters required by the policies of the CSE and applicable Laws and will be in form and substance acceptable to each of them, acting in a

 

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commercially reasonable manner. No Party will issue any news release or public statements inconsistent with such public announcement.

Independent Legal Advice

14.2       Each of the Parties acknowledges that it has read, understands and agrees with all of the provisions of this Agreement and acknowledges that he has had the opportunity to obtain independent legal advice with respect thereto.

Entire Agreement

14.3       This Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the schedules referred to herein constitute the entire agreement among the Parties hereto and supersede all prior agreements, representations, warranties, statements, promises, information, arrangements and understandings, whether oral or written, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof. None of the Parties hereto will be bound or charged with any oral or written agreements, representations, warranties, statements, promises, information, arrangements or understandings not specifically set forth in this Agreement or in the schedules, documents and instruments to be delivered on the Closing Date pursuant to this Agreement. The Parties hereto further acknowledge and agree that, in entering into this Agreement and in delivering the schedules, documents and instruments to be delivered on the Closing Date, they have not in any way relied, and will not in any way rely, upon any oral or written agreements, representations, warranties, statements, promises, information, arrangements or understandings, express or implied, not specifically set forth in this Agreement or in such schedules, documents or instruments.

Further Assurances

14.4       Each of the Parties hereto will from time to time after the Closing Date at the other’s request and expense and without further consideration, execute and deliver such other instruments of transfer, conveyance and assignment and take such further action as the other may reasonably require to give effect to any matter provided for herein.

Severability

14.5       In the event that any provision or part of this Agreement is determined by any court or other judicial or administrative body to be illegal, null, void, invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be severed to the extent that it is so declared and the other provisions of this Agreement will continue in full force and effect.

Applicable Law

14.6       This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.

Attornment

14.7       The Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consent to and submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of British Columbia for any actions, suits or

 

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proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the matters contemplated hereby. The Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the matters contemplated hereby in the courts of the Province of British Columbia and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such applicable courts, as the case may be, that any such action, suit or proceeding so brought has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

Successors and Assigns

14.8       This Agreement will accrue to the benefit of and be binding upon each of the Parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, provided that this Agreement will not be assigned by any one of the Parties without the prior written consent of the other Party.

Time of Essence

14.9       Time will be of the essence hereof.

Notices

14.10       Any notice required or permitted to be given hereunder will be in writing and will be effectively given if (i) delivered personally, (ii) sent prepaid courier service or mail, or (iii) sent prepaid by facsimile transmission or other similar means of electronic communication (confirmed on the same or following day by prepaid mail) addressed as follows:

(a)          in the case of notice to Meridex:

Meridex

Terese Gieselman

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Tel: 1-250-768-0009

Email: tgieselman.minco@telus.net

in the case of notice to BSI, the BSI Shareholders:

Glen Harder

Tel: 604-682-4466

Email: gharder@har-law.com

Any notice, designation, communication, request, demand or other document given or sent or delivered as aforesaid will: (i) if delivered as aforesaid, be deemed to have been given, sent, delivered and received on the date of delivery; (ii) if sent by mail as aforesaid, be deemed to have been given, sent, delivered and received (but not actually received) on the fourth Business Day following the date of mailing, unless at any time between the date of mailing and the fourth

 

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Business Day thereafter there is a discontinuance or interruption of regular postal service, whether due to strike or lockout or work slowdown, affecting postal service at the point of dispatch or delivery or any intermediate point, in which case the same will be deemed to have been given, sent, delivered and received in the ordinary course of the mail, allowing for such discontinuance or interruption of regular postal service; and (iii) if sent by facsimile machine, be deemed to have been given, sent, delivered and received on the date the sender receives the facsimile machine answer back confirming receipt by the recipient.

Waiver

14.11       Any Party hereto which is entitled to the benefits of this Agreement may, and has the right to, unless otherwise provided, waive any term or condition hereof at any time on or prior to the Closing Date, provided however that such waiver will be evidenced by written instrument duly executed on behalf of such Party.

Amendments

14.12       No amendment, modification or supplement to this Agreement will be effective unless provided in writing and signed by all the Parties hereto and approved by all necessary governmental regulatory authorities.

Remedies Cumulative

14.13       The rights and remedies of the Parties under this Agreement are cumulative and in addition to and not in substitution for any rights or remedies provided by law. Any single or partial exercise by any Party hereto of any right or remedy for default or breach of any term, covenant or condition of this Agreement does not waive, alter, affect or prejudice any other right or remedy to which such Party may be lawfully entitled for the same default or breach.

Counterparts

14.14       This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts (by original or facsimile signature), each of which when so executed will be deemed to be an original and each of such counterparts, if executed by each of the Parties, will constitute a valid and enforceable agreement among the Parties.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF this agreement has been executed by the Parties hereto as of the date first above written.

 

 

 
 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF this agreement has been executed by the Parties hereto as of the date first above written.

 

 
 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF this agreement has been executed by the Parties hereto as of the date first above written.

 

 
 

SCHEDULE A

LIST OF BSI SHAREHOLDERS AND
THEIR RESPECTIVE SHAREHOLDINGS IN BSI

Shareholder Number of BSI Shares
Nick Brusatore 50
Dr. Sazzad Hossain 35
Dr. Hyder A. Khoja 15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 4.1(e)

LIST OF BSI ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 4.1(q)

LIST OF MATERIAL CONTRACTS OF BSI

 

 

N/A 

 

 

 
 

SCHEDULE 7.1(c)

PROTECTION OF CORPORATE INTEREST

 

 

u 

 

Exhibit 10.10

 

 

SECTION 85 PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) made as of the 28th day of October, 2015 (the “Effective Date”),

BETWEEN:

DR. SAZZAD HOSSAIN, an individual with an address at
# 108 - 8611 Ackroyd Road. Richmond. BC
V6X 3P4.                                                            

 

(the “Vendor”)

AND:

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC., a company incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, with offices at Suite 350, 409 Granville St, Vancouver, B.C.V6C 1T2]

 

(the “Purchaser”)

WHEREAS:

A.       The Vendor has a partial interest in the patents listed in Schedule 1 (the “Patents”);

B.       The Vendor has agreed to assign his rights, title and interest in the Patents to the Purchaser and in consideration therefor, the Purchaser has agreed to issue to the Vendor 1,000,000 common shares in the capital of the Purchaser (the “Issued Shares”) in payment and satisfaction of the purchase price for the Purchased Shares;

C.       It is the intention of the Vendor and the Purchaser that the purchase price for the assignment of the Vendor’s right, title and interest of Patents be equal to their fair market value on the Effective Date; and

D.       Pursuant to subsection 85(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Act”), the parties will elect that the right, title and interest in the Patents be transferred by the Vendor to the Purchaser at an elected amount determined by the Vendor, and in connection therewith, the parties will sign and file an election pursuant to subsection 85(1) of the Act.

NOW THEREFORE in consideration of the premises, mutual covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged by the parties), the parties covenant and agree as follows:

1.       PURCHASE

1.1       Purchase and Sale. Subject to the terms of and conditions contained in this Agreement, the Vendor hereby sells, transfers and assigns to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser hereby purchases from the Vendor, all of the Vendor’s right, title and interest in and to the Patents as of the Effective Date.

 

 

 

1.2       Purchase Price. The purchase price for the Patents (the “Purchase Price”) shall be an amount equal to the issued shares as of the Effective Date.

1.3       Payment of Purchase Price. The Purchaser will pay and satisfy the Purchase Price in full, in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, by allotting, issuing and delivering the Issued Shares to the Vendor as full paid and non-assessable shares in the authorized share structure of the Purchaser.

2.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

2.1       The Vendor. The Vendor hereby represents and warrants to the Purchaser, with the intention that the Purchaser will rely thereon in entering into this Agreement, that:

(a) Ownership: The Vendor was the beneficial owner of his rights, title and interest in the Patents as of the date of transfer and such ownership was free and clear from all liens, charges, security agreements and other encumbrances;
(b) Authority: The Vendor has due and sufficient right, authority and capacity to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the transactions contemplated in this Agreement in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;
(c) No Violations: The performance by the Vendor of the Vendor’s covenants contained in this Agreement will not be in violation of any agreement to which the Vendor is a party and will not result in the creation or imposition of any lien, encumbrance or restriction of any nature whatsoever against the Vendor’s ownership interest in the Patents; and
(d) Residency: The Vendor is not a non-resident of Canada within the meaning of the Act.

2.2       The Purchaser. The Purchaser represents and warrants to the Vendor, with the intention that the Vendor will rely thereon in entering into this Agreement, that:

(a) Corporate Status: The Purchaser is a duly incorporated and validly existing company under the laws of the Province of British Columbia and is an existing company in good standing with the Registrar of Companies for British Columbia with respect to the filing of annual reports;
(b) Authority: The Purchaser has sufficient right and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the transactions contemplated in this Agreement in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;
(c) Issued Shares: Upon issuance of the Issued Shares to the Vendor, the Issued Shares will be validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable and free and clear of any claims, pledges, charges, liens and encumbrances; and
(d) No Conflicts: The performance by the Purchaser of the Purchaser’s covenants contained in this Agreement will not be in violation of any agreement to which the Purchaser is a party, will not give any person or company any right to terminate or cancel any agreement or any right enjoyed by the Purchaser and will not result in the creation or imposition of any lien, encumbrance or restriction of any nature whatsoever against the Issued Shares.

2

 

 

 

2.3       Survival. All of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made by the Vendor and the Purchaser in this Agreement will survive the Effective Date and, notwithstanding the closing of the transactions provided for in this Agreement, will continue in full force and effect.

3.       CLOSING

3.1       Place of Closing. The closing of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement will take place at such time and place as may be agreed upon by the parties.

3.2       Vendor’s Deliveries. The Vendor will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Purchaser any documents, agreements or certificates as may be reasonably requested by the Purchaser to give effect to the terms of this Agreement.

3.3       Purchaser’s Deliveries. The Purchaser will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Vendor:

(a) a duly executed share certificate registered in the name of the Vendor representing the Issued Shares; and
(b) all other documents, agreements or certificates as may be reasonably requested by the Vendor to give effect to the terms of this Agreement.

4.       SECTION 85 ELECTION

The parties acknowledge and agree that the purchase and sale of the Purchased Shares contemplated by the Agreement is to be carried out in accordance with subsection 85(1) of the Act and is intended to be carried out in a tax deferred manner. The parties agree and hereby confirm that they will jointly elect pursuant to subsection 85(1) of the Act in the prescribed form and within the time referred to in subsection 85(6) of the Act, to transfer the Patents at an determined by the Vendor. The parties covenant and agree to execute and file such other documents and instruments as may be necessary or advisable to effect compliance with subsection 85(1) and such other provisions of the Act as may be applicable or appropriate.

5.       MISCELLANEOUS

5.1 Restrictions on Sales of Issued Shares. The parties agree that, upon issuance, 250,000 of the Issued Shares will be immediately free-trading and not subject to any restrictions on sale in the hands of the Vendor, other than restrictions imposed by applicable securities laws. With respect to the remaining 750,000 Issued Shares, the Vendor agrees that he will not, directly or indirectly, sell or otherwise dispose of any of such Issued Shares except in accordance with the following rules and schedule:

(a) effective May 10, 2016, 250,000 of the remaining Issued Shares shall cease to be subject to any contractual restrictions on sale hereunder and the Vendor shall be free to sell such Issued Shares in his discretion, subject to compliance with all applicable securities laws and regulations;
(b) beginning on May 10, 2017, a further 250,000 of the remaining Issued Shares (for an aggregate of 500,000 remaining Issued Shares) shall cease to be subject to any contractual restrictions on sale hereunder and the Vendor shall be free to sell such Issued Shares in his discretion, subject to compliance with all applicable securities laws and regulations; and

3

 

 

 

(c) beginning on May 10, 2018, the final 250,000 of the remaining Issued Shares (for an aggregate of 750,000 remaining Issued Shares) shall cease to be subject to any contractual restrictions on sale hereunder and the Vendor shall be free to sell such Issued Shares in his discretion, subject to compliance with all applicable securities laws and regulations.

5.2       Further Assurances. The parties will execute all other documents and instruments and do all other things necessary to implement and carry out the terms of this Agreement.

5.3       Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the laws of Canada applicable in British Columbia.

5.4       Notice. All notices, demands and payments required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement will be in writing (in the case of notices and demands) and may be delivered personally or may be forwarded by first-class prepaid registered mail to the addresses set forth on page one of this Agreement, or at such other addresses as may from time to time be notified in writing by the parties to this Agreement. Any notice mailed by first-class prepaid registered mail will be deemed to have been given and received on the expiration of 72 hours after it is posted, provided that if there is between the time of mailing and the actual receipt of the notice a mail strike, slowdown or other labour dispute which might affect the delivery of the notice by mail, then the notice will only be effective if actually delivered.

5.5       Entire Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersede all previous communications, representations and agreements, whether verbal or written, between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

5.6       Severability. Should any part of this Agreement be declared or held to be invalid for any reason, the invalidity will not affect the validity of the remainder of this Agreement, which will continue in full force and effect and be construed as if this Agreement had been executed without the invalid portion and it is hereby declared the intention of the parties that this Agreement would have been executed without reference to any portion that may, for any reason, be hereafter declared or held invalid.

5.7       Enurement. This Agreement will be binding upon and enure to the benefit of the parties to this Agreement and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, successors and permitted assigns.

5.8       Time of the Essence. Time is of the essence of this Agreement.

5.9       Headings. The headings appearing in this Agreement have been inserted for reference and as a matter of convenience only and in no way define, limit or enlarge the scope or meaning of this Agreement or any of its provisions.

5.10       Recitals. The recitals to this Agreement are incorporated into this Agreement and form an integral part of this Agreement.

5.11       Interpretation. Words used in this agreement like “herein”, “hereof’, “hereunder” and other like words refer to this agreement as a whole and not just to the particular paragraph or clause in which those words appear.

5.12       Assignment. This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of any party under this Agreement will not be assigned by any party to this Agreement without the prior written consent of the

4

 

 

 

 

other party to this Agreement and any attempt to assign the rights, duties or obligations under this Agreement without such prior written consent will be of no effect.

5.13       Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when executed and delivered (either originally, by facsimile, email (PDF) or otherwise) will be deemed to be an original, and all of which together will constitute one and the same document.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the day and year first above written.

 

 

5

 

Schedule 1

The following Patents families are the subject of the purchase agreement:

1. 1107-0002 - Compositions and methods for treating epidermolysis bullosa simplex on April 20, 2015;
2. 1107-0003 - Composition and methods for treating eye diseases on May 7, 2015; and
3. 1107-0004 - Metabolic Engineering of Cannabinoids on May 26, 2015.

 

6

 

Exhibit 10.11

 

 

 

ASSIGNMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

This Assignment made effective and executed as of the 28th day of October, 2015 (the “Effective Date”).

AMONG:

Dr. Sazzad Hossain, Richmond, BC
#108 - 8611 Ackroyd Road. V6X3P4
(the “Assignor”)

AND:

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc., 409 Granville St, Vancouver BC, V6C 1A0

(the “Assignee”)

In this Assignment, the term “intellectual property” is used in its broadest sense and includes any statutory, common law, equitable, contractual or proprietary interest, recognized currently or in future, in knowledge received or transmitted through investigation, observation, experience, study, instruction, creation or publication, regardless of the form or medium in which the knowledge is embodied in respect of the intellectual property (the “IP”) described in Schedule “A”. In addition, “intellectual property” include, in respect of the IP described in Schedule “A”, the following:

a. knowledge and its embodiments include:
i. technical information, including meeting and collaboration notes, contents of laboratory notebooks, data, formulae, drawings, diagrams, blueprints, knowhow, concepts, processes, product plans, service plans, computer software, flowcharts, specifications, design documents, and models; and
ii. business information including data, databases, business models, market research and forecasts, and customer lists;
iii. the preliminary patent filing application conducted by Edmund Xie, of Alphabetica Law
b. interests currently recognized including rights of confidence in information, ideas, concepts and know-how, patent rights in inventions, copyrights in artistic, literary, dramatic, musical, and neighboring works, design rights in designs, and trademark rights in reputations, marks and domain names; and
c. all trademarks, trade names, business names, patents, inventions, know-how, copyrights, software, source code, object code, service marks, brand names,

 

 

 

industrial designs and all other industrial or intellectual property and all applications therefore and all goodwill connected therewith, including, without limitation, all licenses, registered user agreements and all like rights of any kind whatsoever.

d. The assignment of IP listed in Schedule “A”, will transfer to the Assignee upon the execution of the Section 85 Purchase and Sale Agreement between the Assignor and the Assignee

For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged, the Assignor hereby assigns, transfers and sets over (the “Assignment”) all of his, her or its entire right, title and interest of any kind whatsoever in the IP to the Assignee including, without limitation, moral rights in the IP (as that term is defined in the Copyright Act, R.S. 1985, C-42, S.l as from time to time amended), effective as of the Effective Date.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Assignment on the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule 1

The following Patents families are the subject of the assignment:

1. 1107-0002 - Compositions and methods for treating epidermolysis bullosa simplex on April 20, 2015;
2. 1107-0003 - Composition and methods for treating eye diseases on May 7, 2015; and
3. 1107-0004 - Metabolic Engineering of Cannabinoids on May 26, 2015

 

 

[*] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED BECAUSE IT IS BOTH (i) NOT MATERIAL AND (ii) WOULD BE COMPETITIVELY HARMFUL IF PUBLICLY DISCLOSED.

 

 

Exhibit 10.12

 

 

 

UBC File No. 18-0114

 

 

TECHNOLOGY ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is made as of the 31st day of May 2017 (the "Effective Date”)

BETWEEN:

THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, a corporation continued under the University Act of British Columbia with offices at #103-6190 Agronomy Road, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3

("UBC")

AND:

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC., a corporation incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, with a registered office at 350- 409 Granville St., Vancouver, BC, V6C 1T2

(the "Assignee")

WHEREAS:

A.        UBC has been engaged in research sponsored by the Assignee during the course of which it has invented, developed and/or acquired certain technology relating to the metabolic engineering of yeast and bacteria for synthesis of cannabinoids and cannabis-derived terpenoids, which research was undertaken by Prof. Vikramaditya Yadav (the "Investigator") in the UBC Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering whether prior to, during or after the Contract Period set out in the Collaborative Research Agreement dated May 22, 2015 (collectively, “Sponsored Research’’);

B.        It is UBC's objective to exploit its technology for the public benefit, and to generate further research in a manner consistent with its status as a non-profit, tax exempt educational institution; and

C.       UBC and the Assignee have agreed to an assignment of UBC’s right, title, and interest in the Technology and Improvements (as defined below) from UBC to the Assignee on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement.

THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

1.0       Definitions:

1.1       In this Agreement:

(a) “Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified person, any other person that directly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified person. For the purposes of this Article 1.1(a), “control’’ shall mean:
(i) in the case of corporate entities, the direct or indirect ownership of at least 50% of the stock or participating shares entitled to vote in the general meeting of shareholders, and

 

  2   File No. 18-0014

 

 

(ii) in the case of a partnership or other legal entity, ownership of at least 50% interest in the income or at least a 50% interest in the power to direct the management or policies of such entity;
(b) "Confidential Information" means any information relating to the Technology, the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and any and all oral, written, electronic or other communications and other information disclosed or provided by the Assignee pursuant to this Agreement, including all business records and financial information, which is non-public, confidential or proprietary in nature, whether written, oral or in electronic form, but excluding any part of the Information:
(i) published or available to the general public otherwise than through a breach of this Agreement;
(ii) obtained by UBC from a third party with a valid right to disclose it, provided that said third party is not known by UBC to be under a confidentiality obligation to the Assignee; or
(iii) independently developed by employees, agents or consultants of UBC who had no knowledge of or access to the Confidential Information as evidenced by its business records.
(c) “Field” means the metabolic engineering of yeast and bacteria for synthesis of cannabinoids and cannabis-derived terpenoids;
(d) "Improvements" means improvements, variations, updates, modifications, and enhancements made and/or acquired at any time after the Effective Date by:
(i) the Investigator while employed at UBC, or
(ii) jointly, by the Investigator while employed at UBC, and the Assignee or any licensees of the Assignee,

directly relating to the Technology and within the Field;

(e) “Improvement Patents" means patents and patent applications that claim
Improvements;
(f) "Licensing Revenue" means all revenues, receipts, monies, and the fair market value of any shares or other securities and all other consideration directly or indirectly collected or received whether by way of cash, credit or other value received by the Assignee under each agreement relating to a license, assignment, grant or transfer of the Assignee’s rights in the Technology and/or any Improvements, and/or any Products whether by way of license, assignment development agreement or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing Licensing Revenue will include all:
(i) milestone payments, royalties, license fees, option fees, and the fair market value of all consideration received in connection with any sublicense, assignment, grant or transfer of the Assignee’s rights in the Technology or any Improvements, and/or any Products, and

 

  3   File No. 18-0014

 

 

(ii) research or development fees in excess of the direct reimbursement for the actual costs of such research and development incurred by the Assignee under a written research plan and agreement,

received by the Assignee from any licensee or assignee relating to the Assignee’s rights in the Technology, Improvements or any Products, less reimbursement of research and development costs and patent costs.

For clarity, Licensing Revenue shall not include:

(iii) any equity investment made by a third party to purchase shares of the Assignee;
(iv) loans to the Assignee from a licensee or assignee, except to the extent that the interest charged for same is less than fair market value (in which case such difference shall be Licensing Revenue) or to the extent that the principal of same is forgiven (in which case such forgiven amount shall be Licensing Revenue); and
(v) any Sales Revenue;
(g) "Patents" means collectively:
(i) the United States patents and patent applications identified in Schedule "A",
(ii) ail United States patents issued from the patent applications identified in Schedule “A",
(iii) all United States counterparts, continuations, divisionals, continuing prosecution applications, and requests for continued examinations, extensions, term restorations, renewals, reissues, re-examinations, or substitutions of the patents and patent applications identified in Schedule "A",
(iv) all Canadian and international patent applications corresponding to those described in paragraphs (i) and (iii) above,
(v) all Canadian and foreign patent applications, including supplementary protection certificates and other administrative protections corresponding to those described in paragraphs (i) and (iii) above, and
(vi) all Canadian, international and foreign counterpart patents resulting from any of the patent applications described in paragraphs (iv) and (v) above,

all of which will be deemed added, from time to time, to Schedule “A";

(h) "Product(s)" means a product, the manufacture or sale of which would, but for the license granted herein, infringe a Valid Claim of one or more of the Patents and/or the Improvement Patents in the country of manufacture or sale;
(i) "Royalty Due Dates" means the last day of March, June, September and December of each year during the Royalty Term;

 

  4   File No. 18-0014
(j) "Royalty Term” starts on the Effective Date and ends on the expiry of the last Valid

Claim under the Patents or Improvement Patents assigned under this Agreement;

(k) "Sales Revenue" means all revenues, receipts, money, and the fair market value of any shares or other securities, or other consideration directly or indirectly collected or received whether by way of cash, credit or other value received by the Assignee (but not including monies collected from any licensee or assignee of the Assignee) from the marketing, manufacturing, sale, use or distribution of any Products, less the following deductions to the extent included in the amounts invoiced and thereafter actually allowed and taken:
(i) credit, allowances or refunds given on account of returned goods,
(ii) transportation charges invoiced separately and actually charged to third parties,
(iii) direct sales taxes and customs duties applied on the sales of Products,
(iv) agents’ commissions paid by the Licensee for the sale of Products, and
(v) bona fide special rebates provided by the Licensee for Products purchased by third parties.

For clarity, Sales Revenue shall not include any equity investment made by a third party to purchase shares of the Assignee;

(l) "Technology'' means the Patents and all work product arising from the Sponsored Research in the Field as described in Schedule "A”; and
(m) “Valid Claim” means:
(i) a claim of a pending patent application, provided that the patent application has not been pending for longer than seven (7) years after the date from which such application claims priority, and

(ii)       a claim of an issued, unexpired patent,

that has not been:

(iii) permanently revoked or held invalid, unpatentable or unenforceable by a final decision of a court or governmental agency of competent jurisdiction, which decision is unappealable or was not appealed within the time allowed therefor, or
(iv) admitted in writing to be invalid or unenforceable by the holder(s) by reissue, disclaimer or otherwise.

2.0       Assignment of the Technology and Improvements:

2.1       Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, UBC agrees to transfer,

sell and assign on the Closing Date to the Assignee all of UBC's right, title and interest in and to the Technology.

 

  5   File No. 18-0014

 

 

2.2       Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, UBC agrees to transfer sell and assign to the Assignee all of UBC’s right, title, and interest in and to any Improvements.

2.3       Notwithstanding Articles 2.1 or 2.2 above, the Assignee hereby:

(a) grants to UBC a world-wide, fully paid-up, non-exclusive license to use the Technology and any Improvements without charge in any manner whatsoever for research, scholarly publication, educational and other non-commercial use; and
(b) acknowledges and agrees that UBC and its faculty, researchers and students, shall not be restricted from presenting at symposia, national or regional professional meetings, or from publishing in journals or other publications accounts of their research relating to the Technology or any Improvements, provided that the Assignee is provided with copies of the proposed disclosure at least 60 days before the presentation or publication date and does not, within 30 days after delivery of the proposed disclosure, give notice to UBC indicating that it objects to the proposed disclosure. The Assignee may object to the proposed disclosure on the grounds that (i) it contains Confidential Information that was disclosed to UBC by the Assignee; or (ii) that it discloses patentable subject matter which needs protection. If the Assignee makes objection on the grounds of the inclusion of the Assignee’s Confidential Information, UBC will remove such Confidential Information immediately from the proposed disclosure, after which UBC shall be free to present and/or publish the proposed disclosure. If the Assignee makes an objection on the grounds of protection of patentable subject matter. UBC will delay the proposed disclosure until Assignee has filed one or more patent applications with one or more patent offices directed to such patentable subject matter (the “Delay”). A provisional patent application will be considered to be a patent application in the United States of America for the purposes of this Agreement. The Delay will be no longer than six (6) months from the date UBC delivers the proposed disclosure to the Assignee, after which UBC shall be free to present and/or publish the proposed disclosure. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, the Parties acknowledge and agree that no delay shall be permitted for the defense of a student’s thesis.

The rights granted to UBC pursuant to this Article 2.3 shall be irrevocable, royalty-free and perpetual.

 

3.0       Payment to UBC for Assignment:

3.1       In consideration for the assignment of the Technology and any Improvements to the Assignee, the Assignee will pay to UBC, on a calendar quarterly basis, a royalty of [*]% of all Sales Revenues and a royalty of [*]% of all Licensing Revenues.

3.2       Royalties shall be payable on sales of Products in each country until the expiration of the last Valid Claim under the Patents or the Improvements Patents applicable to such Product in that country. For greater clarity it is confirmed that if a Product is covered by a Valid Claim in the country of manufacture, then the royalty rate set out in Article 3.1 is applicable to the Sales Revenues received from the sale or use of the Product in all countries to which such Product is exported regardless of whether the Product is covered by a Valid Claim in the country of use or sale.

 

 

 

[*] = Certain confidential information contained in this document, marked by brackets, has been omitted because it is both (i) not material and (ii) would be competitively harmful if publicly disclosed.

 

  6   File No. 18-0014

 

3.3       The calculation of sales of Products shall be adjusted for combination products and generic competition. If the Assignee obtains a license under any third party patent rights which in the Assignee’s reasonable judgement is desirable or necessary to develop or commercialize the Product, then the Assignee may deduct from the royalties payable under Article 3.1 an amount equal to 50% of the royalty payments payable to such third party on a country by country basis for the applicable calendar quarter. If a generic equivalent of a Product is launched in a country, the royalties payable in such country shall be reduced by 50%. In no situation will the calculations made under this Article 3.3 reduce the royalties payable to UBC under Article 3.1 by more than 50% in any country.

3.4       The royalty is due and payable within 30 days after each respective Royalty Due Date and is to be calculated with respect to the Sales Revenue and Licensing Revenue in the 3-month period immediately before the applicable Royalty Due Date.

3.5       All royalties paid by the Assignee to UBC under this Agreement will be in Canadian dollars without any reduction or deduction of any nature or kind at all. If the Assignee receives any Sales Revenue or Licensing Revenue in a currency other than Canadian dollars, the currency will be converted to the equivalent in Canadian dollars on the date that any amount is payable to UBC, at the rate of exchange set by the Bank of Montreal for buying Canadian dollars with such currency. The amount of Canadian dollars resulting from the conversion is to be included in Sales Revenue or Licensing Revenue.

3.6       Products are deemed to have been sold by the Assignee and included in the Sales Revenue when invoiced, delivered, shipped,, or paid for, whichever is the first.

3.7       Any transaction, disposition, or other dealing involving all or part of the Technology or any Improvements or Products, between the Assignee and another person (other than the Assignee’s Affiliates) that is not made at fair market value is deemed to have been made at fair market value, and the fair market value of the transaction, disposition, or other dealing will be added to and deemed part of the Sales Revenue, and will be included in the calculation of royalties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Sales Revenue shall not include and no royalties will be payable on Products used for research and development of the Products or the Technology or any Improvements for which the Assignee does not receive consideration, such as but not limited to dispositions for clinical trials, marketing, research use and compassionate use or for other similar uses.

3.8       No royalties shall be payable on Licensing Revenue paid to the Assignee by its Affiliates, but royalties shall be payable on the Licensing Revenue of the Assignee’s Affiliates from a third party.

4.0       Disclaimer of Warranty:

4.1       UBC makes no representations, conditions or warranties, either express or

implied, regarding the Technology or any Improvements. Without limitation, UBC specifically disclaims any implied warranty, condition or representation that the Technology or any Improvements:

(a)       corresponds with a particular description;

(b)       is of merchantable quality;

(c)       is fit for a particular purpose; or

 

  7   File No. 18-0014

 

       

(d) is durable for a reasonable period of time.

 

4.2       UBC is not liable for any loss, whether direct, consequential, incidental or special, which the Assignee or other third parties suffer arising from any defect, error or fault of the Technology or any Improvements, or its failure to perform, even if UBC is aware of the possibility of the defect, error, fault or failure. The Assignee acknowledges that it has been advised by UBC to undertake its own due diligence regarding the Technology or any Improvements.

4.3       Nothing in this Agreement:

(a) constitutes a warranty or representation by UBC as to title to the Technology or any Improvements, or that anything made, used, sold or otherwise disposed of with respect to, or using the Technology or any Improvements, will not infringe the patents, copyrights, trade-marks, industrial designs or other intellectual property rights of any third parties, or any patents, copyrights, trade-marks, industrial design or other intellectual property rights owned, in whole or in part, by UBC, or licensed by UBC to any third parties;
(b) constitutes an express or implied warranty or representation by UBC that the Assignee has, or will have, the freedom to operate or practice the Technology or any Improvements, or the freedom to make, have made, use, sell or otherwise dispose of Products;
(c) imposes an obligation on UBC to bring, prosecute or defend actions or suits against third parties for infringement of patents, copyrights, trade-marks, industrial designs or other intellectual property or contractual rights; or
(d) confers the right to use in any advertising or publicity the name of UBC or any UBC trade-marks, service mark, logo, insignia, seal, design, symbol, or device used by UBC in relation to the Technology or any Improvements or anything made used, sold or otherwise disposed of by the Assignee with respect to the Technology or any Improvements.

5.0       Patents:

5.1       The Assignee will manage the patent portfolio of the Patents and any

Improvement Patents and may identify any patentable Improvement and the Assignee shall take reasonable steps to apply for an Improvement Patent. The Assignee shall pay all costs of applying for, registering and maintaining the Patents and Improvement Patents. UBC will on request and without payment, do such further acts and execute and deliver to the Assignee such assignments, applications and documents as the Assignee or its counsel may reasonably request or deem necessary and desirable to:

(a) evidence, give effect to and complete the assignment of the Patents and Improvement Patents; and
(b) obtain any Patents and Improvement Patents, copyrights or other protection in the Technology required to protect the interests of the Assignee therein.

 

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6.0       Indemnity and Limitation of Liability:

6.1       The Assignee indemnifies, holds harmless and defends UBC and its Board of Governors, officers, employees, faculty, students, invitees and agents against any and all claims (including all associated legal fees and disbursements actually incurred) arising out of the use, or exercise, of any rights with respect to the Technology or any Improvements by the Assignee, including without limitation agaihst any damages or losses, consequential or otherwise, arising in any manner at all from or out of the use of the Technology or any Improvements by the Assignee or its customers, licensees, sublicensees, agents, collaborators, Affiliates or their customers or end users.

6.2       The Assignee acknowledges and agrees that:

(a) that the assignment of the Technology hereunder is on an “as is" basis, and that the Assignee has conducted its own due diligence with respect to the Technology and any Improvements;
(b) UBC's total liability, whether under the express or implied terms of this Agreement, in tort (including negligence) or at common law, for any loss or damage suffered by the Assignee, whether direct, indirect or special, or any other similar damage that may arise or does arise from any breaches of this Agreement by UBC or its Board of Governors, officers, employees, faculty, students or agents, is limited to the amount of CDN$1,000.

7.0       Assignee’s Warrantees:

7.1       In order to induce UBC to enter into this Agreement, the Assignee hereby represents and warrants to UBC that:

(a) the Assignee is a company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of British Columbia;
(b) the Assignee has all necessary corporate power, authority and capacity to acquire the Technology and any Improvements and perform its obligations pursuant to this Agreement;
(c) the execution and delivery of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Assignee; and
(d) the Assignee is not a party to, bound by or subject to any license, agreement, instrument, statute, regulation, order, judgment, decree or law which would be violated, contravened or breached by or under which any default would occur as a result of the execution of and delivery by the Assignee of this Agreement or the performance by the Assignee of any of its terms.

8.0       Accounting Records, Reports & Notices:

8.1       All reports and notices or other documents that a party is required or may want to deliver to the other party will be delivered in writing either by personal delivery or by registered or certified mail at the address for the receiving party set out on page one of this Agreement or as varied by any notice. Any notice personally delivered shall be deemed to have been received at the time of delivery. Any notice mailed in accordance with this Article 8.1 shall be deemed to have been received at the end of the fifth day after it is posted.

 

 

  9   File No. 18-0014

8.2       The Assignee will maintain at its principal place of business, or another place as may be most convenient, separate accounts and records of all Sales Revenues and all business done by the Assignee in connection with the Technology, Improvements and Products. The accounts and records will be in sufficient detail to enable proper returns to be made under this Agreement and the Assignee will cause its licensees, transferees and assignees to keep similar accounts and records.

8.3       The Assignee will complete and deliver to UBC on or before each and every Royalty Due Date a report in a form sufficient to verify accurately and completely the Sales Revenue, together with a calculation of the royalty payable under this Agreement (a "Payment Report"). Each Payment Report will include, without limitation:

(a)       a list of each Product by name and description;

(b)        sales of each Product by country of sales, including the number of units sold, price per unit, and any deductions taken from gross revenue;

 

(c)       the method of calculation of any currency conversion; and

(d)       the method by which the royalty amount is calculated;

and be signed by a senior officer of the Assignee to verify the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in the Payment Report.

8.4       The calculation of all payments due to UBC under this Agreement will be carried out in accordance with generally accepted Canadian accounting principles applied on a consistent basis.

8.5       The Assignee will retain the accounts and records referred to in this Article 8 for at least six (6) years from when they were made and will permit any duly authorized representative of UBC to inspect, at UBC's expense, the accounts and records during the Assignee’s normal business hours. The Assignee will provide to the representative all reasonable evidence necessary to verify the accounts and records and will allow copies to be made of the accounts, records and agreements. If an inspection of the Assignee's records by UBC shows an under-reporting or underpayment by the Assignee of any amount to UBC by

more than 5% for any 12 month period, then the Assignee will reimburse UBC for the cost of the inspection as well as pay to UBC any amount tound due (including any Interest) within 30 days of notice by UBC to the Assignee.

8.6       UBC agrees that the information set forth in the Payment Reports and the accounts and records subject to inspection under Section 8.5 shall be subject to the obligations of confidentiality set out in Article 9 and shall be maintained in confidence by UBC and its representatives, shall not be used for any purpose other than verification of the Assignee’s performance hereunder, and shall not be disclosed to any other person except for purposes of enforcing this Agreement.

9.0       Confidentiality

9.1       The Assignee’s Confidential Information shall be received and used by UBC

solely in furtherance of the purposes set forth in this Agreement subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Article 9.

 

  10   File No. 18-0014

 

 

9.2       UBC shall keep and use all of the Assignee’s Confidential Information in confidence and will not, without the Assignee's prior written consent, disclose any of the Assignee's Confidential Information to any person or entity, except those of UBC's officers, employees, faculty, students, consultants and professional advisors who require such Confidential Information in performing their obligations under this Agreement.

9.3       UBC shall not use, either directly or indirectly, any of the Assignee’s Confidential Information for any purpose other than as contemplated herein without the Assignee’s prior written consent.

9.4       If UBC is required by judicial or administrative process to disclose any or all of the Assignee's Confidential Information, UBC shall promptly notify the Assignee and, when available allow the Assignee reasonable time to oppose such process before disclosing any such Confidential Information.

9.5       Notwithstanding any termination or expiration of this Agreement, the obligations created in this Article 9 shall survive and be binding upon UBC and its successors and assigns.

10.0       Further Assignment:

10.1       The Assignee will not assign this Agreement, or sell, transfer or assign, or license on a royalty-free basis fora prepaid amount, the Technology and/or any Improvements or any part thereof (each, a “Transfer") to any other party (a “Third Party”) without the prior written consent of UBC, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed by UBC, and provided that UBC will grant such consent if:

(a) the Assignee acknowledges that all rights granted in this Agreement to UBC shall survive any such Transfer until superseded by the agreement described in paragraph (b) below; and
(b) that the Third Party shall on closing of the Transfer execute a written agreement, in a form approved by UBC, which provides that the Third Party covenants and agrees with UBC to assume and adopt as its own obligation the covenants and obligations of the Assignee under this Agreement.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, UBC agrees that the Assignee shall have the right to sell, transfer or assign, or license on a royalty-free basis for a prepaid amount, the Technology and/or any Improvements or any part thereof to an Affiliate, provided that such Affiliate shall accept an assignment and assumption of this Agreement, and assume and adopt as its own obligations the covenants and obligations of the Assignee under this Agreement.

11.0       General:

11.1       This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia.

11.2       The Assignee will pay all taxes and any related interest or penalty howsoever designated and imposed as a result of the existence or operation of this Agreement. All amounts and consideration specified as payable by the Assignee to UBC in this Agreement are exclusive of taxes. If UBC is required to collect a tax to be paid by the Assignee, the Assignee will pay such tax to UBC on demand.

 

  11   File No. 18-0014

11.3       Nothing contained in this Agreement is to be deemed or construed to create between the parties a partnership or joint venture. Neither party has the authority to act on behalf of any other party, or to commit the other party in any manner at all or cause the other party's name to be used in any way not specifically authorized by this Agreement.

11.4       Subject to the limitations in this Agreement, this Agreement operates for the benefit of and is binding on the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

11.5       No condoning, excusing or overlooking by any party of any default, breach or non-observance by any other party at any time or times regarding any terms of this Agreement operates as a waiver of that party's rights under this Agreement. A waiver of any term, or right under, this Agreement will be in writing signed by the party entitled to the benefit of that term or right, and is effective only to the extent set out in the written waiver.

11.6       No exercise of a specific right or remedy by any party precludes it from or prejudices it in exercising another right or pursuing another remedy or maintaining an action to which it may otherwise be entitled either at law or in equity.

11.7       All terms which require performance by the parties after the expiry or termination of this Agreement, will remain in force despite this Agreement's expiry or termination for any reason.

11.8       Part or all of any Article that is indefinite, invalid, illegal or otherwise voidable or unenforceable may be severed and the balance of this Agreement will continue in full force and effect.

11.9       This Agreement sets out the entire understanding between the parties and no changes are binding unless signed in writing by the parties to this Agreement.

11.10       Time is of the essence of this Agreement.

11.11       This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (either originally or by facsimile), each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument,

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-13-

SCHEDULE “A"

DESCRIPTION OF THE TECHNOLOGY AND MATERIALS

The "Technology” shall include:

1.       the following patent application:

(a) United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62344248 entitled “Metabolic Engineering of Cannabinoids” submitted June 1,2016;
and

2.       all work product arising prior to the Effective Date from the Sponsored Research created or developed by Dr. Vikramaditya G. Yadav, Dr. Protiva Roy, Dr. Sandip V. Pawar. Dr. Sarvesh Kumar, Daniel Korvin and any UBC employees working in the UBC laboratory of Dr. Vikramaditya G. Yadav, whether alone or with others, including Dr. Sazzad Hossain, whether prior to, during or after the Contract Period set out in the Collaborative Research Agreement between UBC and the Assignee dated May 22, 2015 (including intellectual property classified as UBC Intellectual Property or Joint Intellectual Property under the Collaborative Research Agreement) relating to or having application to the metabolic engineering of yeast and bacteria for synthesis of cannabinoids and cannabis-derived terpenoids, including, without limitation:

(a) any and all discoveries, developments, enhancements, improvements, concepts, designs, strategies, formulas, processes, ideas, writings, and other works, whether or not reduced to practice and whether or not protectable under patent, copyright, trade secret or similar laws, including, without limitation, designs and strategies for recombinant DNA vectors and other nucleic acid constructs, and transformed bacteria and yeast cells; and
(b) all information, protocols, procedures, specifications, results, data, formulae , unpatented inventions, manufacturing information, technical dossiers, drawings, regulatory records and quality system documentation, including, without limitation, experimental protocols, experimental data, process development data, manufacturing protocols, manufacturing data, process conditions, formulae for cell culture and fermentation media, isolation and purification protocols, technical analyses, technical reports, formulation records, toxicological assay results, test procedures, test results and the contents of laboratory notebooks.

 

Exhibit 10.13

 

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO TECHNOLOGY ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDMENT AGREEMENT dated for reference as of the 31st day of May, 2017 (the “Effective Date )

BETWEEN:

THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, a corporation continued under the University Act of British Columbia with offices at #103-6190 Agronomy Road, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3

("UBC")

AND:

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC., a corporation incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, with a registered office at #350-409 Granville St., Vancouver, BC, V6C 1T2

(the "Assignee")

WHEREAS:

A.       UBC and the Assignee have entered into a Technology Assignment Agreement dated May 31, 2017, referenced as UBC File No. 18-0014 (the "Assignment Agreement’’); and

B.       UBC and the Assignee desire to amend the Assignment Agreement on the terms and conditions set out in this Amendment Agreement;

NOW THEREFORE the parties hereby agree as follows:

1.        Definitions

Capitalized words and expressions used in this Amendment Agreement (including the recitals to this Agreement) that are defined in the Assignment Agreement and not otherwise defined in this Amendment Agreement shall have the meanings given to them in the Assignment Agreement.

2.       Amendment to Definition of “Improvements”

The Assignment Agreement is hereby amended as of the Effective Date by deleting Section 1.1(d) and substituting therefor the following:

“(d) "Improvements" means improvements, variations, updates, modifications, and enhancements made and/or acquired at any time after the Effective Date by:

(i) the Investigator, Dr. Protiva Roy, Dr. Sandip V. Pawar. Dr. Sarvesh Kumar, Daniel Korvin and any UBC employees working in the UBC laboratory of the Investigator (collectively, the “Yadav Lab Researchers”) while employed at UBC, or
(ii) jointly, by any of the Yadav Lab Researchers while employed at UBC and the Assignee or any licensees of the Assignee,

directly relating to the Technology and within the Field;”

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

-2-

 

3.        Other Terms Unchanged

Except as expressly amended hereby, all other terms and conditions of the Assignment Agreement remain unchanged and in full force and effect.

4.        General Provisions

(a) This Amendment Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia.
(b) Subject to the limitations in the Assignment Agreement, this Amendment Agreement operates for the benefit of and is binding on the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
(c) Part or all of any section that is indefinite, invalid, illegal or otherwise voidable or unenforceable may be severed and the balance of this Amendment Agreement will continue in full force and effect.
(d) This Amendment Agreement sets out the entire understanding between the parties and no changes are binding unless signed in writing by the parties.
(e) This Amendment Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (either originally or by facsimile), each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Amendment Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

 

 

 

[*] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED BECAUSE IT IS BOTH (i) NOT MATERIAL AND (ii) WOULD BE COMPETITIVELY HARMFUL IF PUBLICLY DISCLOSED.

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.14

 

UBC File: F18-01776

 

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AGREEMENT

 

 

BETWEEN:  
   
  THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, a corporation continued under the University Act of British Columbia with offices at 103 - 6190 Agronomy Road, Vancouver,  British  Columbia, V6T 1Z3
   
  ("UBC")
   
AND:  
   
  INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada, with a registered office at Suite 340, 200 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 1S4
   
  (the "Sponsor")
   
  (collectively referred to as the "Parties")
   

 

WHEREAS:

It is UBC’s objective to generate research in a manner consistent with UBC’s status as a non- profit, tax exempt educational institution;

 

The Parties entered into a Collaborative Research Agreement effective May 22, 2015 relating to research regarding the metabolic engineering of yeast and bacteria for synthesis of cannabinoids and cannabis-derived terpenoids undertaken by the Investigator (as defined below) and subsequently entered into a Technology Assignment Agreement (as defined below) which assigns to the Sponsor certain rights to the Technology and Improvements (both as defined below) arising from the Sponsored Research (as defined below); and

 

The research program contemplated by this Agreement is a continuation of the Sponsored Research, and is of mutual interest and benefit to UBC and to the Sponsor, will further the instructional and research objectives of UBC in a manner consistent with its status as a non-profit, tax-exempt, educational institution, and may derive benefits for both the Sponsor and UBC through inventions, improvements and discoveries.

 

THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

 

1.0 DEFINITIONS

 

1.1 In this Agreement:

 

(a) "Confidential Information" means all information, regardless of its form:

 

(i) disclosed by UBC to the Sponsor and which is clearly identified in writing as "Confidential" either at the time of disclosure or within 30 calendar days thereafter,

 

  Page 1 of 12 
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or

 

(ii) disclosed by the Sponsor to UBC and which is clearly identified in writing as "Confidential" either at the time of disclosure or within 30 calendar days thereafter,

 

except that “Confidential Information” does not include information:

 

(iii) possessed by the recipient (the "Recipient") prior to receipt from the disclosing Party (the "Discloser"), other than through prior confidential disclosure by the Discloser, as evidenced by the Recipient's business records;

 

(iv) published or available to the general public otherwise than through a breach of this Agreement;

 

(v) obtained by the Recipient from a third party with a valid right to disclose it, provided that the third party is not under a confidentiality obligation to the Discloser in respect of the same; or

 

(vi) independently developed by employees, agents or consultants of the Recipient who had no knowledge of or access to the Discloser's information as evidenced by the Recipient's business records.

 

(b) Contract Period” means the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending 36 months after the Start Date as set out in Article 2.2 of this Agreement.

 

(c) "Improvements" has the meaning set out in the Technology Assignment Agreement.

 

(d) Investigator” means Dr. Vikramaditya G. Yadav of the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering at UBC.

 

(e) Project” means the research project as described in Schedule “A”.

 

(f) Effective Date” means the date on which the last of the Parties executes this Agreement.

 

(g) Sponsored Research” has the meaning as set out in the Technology Assignment Agreement.

 

(h) Technology” has the meaning as set out in the Technology Assignment Agreement.

 

(i) Technology Assignment Agreement” means the agreement between the Parties effective May 31, 2017 and attached hereto as Schedule “B” and any amendments thereto executed from time to time.

 

  Page 2 of 12 
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(j) "UBC Intellectual Property" means, any and all knowledge, know-how, technique(s), technology or other intellectual property which are conceived, invented, developed, improved or acquired by UBC during the Contract Period in the performance of the Project, but excludes the Technology and Improvements.

 

2.0 RESEARCH WORK

 

2.1 UBC acknowledges and agrees that the Project shall form a part of the Sponsored Research.

 

2.2 UBC will commence the performance of the Project after UBC’s receipt of the first payment set out in Article 4.1 (the “Start Date”) and will use reasonable efforts to perform the Project substantially in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Sponsor and UBC may at any time amend the Project by mutual written agreement.

 

2.3 If the Investigator becomes unable or unwilling to continue the Project, and a mutually acceptable substitute is not available, UBC and the Sponsor will each have the option to terminate the Project and this Agreement by providing the other Party with written notice of same.

 

3.0 REPORTS & CONFERENCES

 

3.1 During the Contract Period, UBC will keep the Sponsor informed, orally or in writing, as to the progress of the Project. UBC will submit a final report to the Sponsor within 60 calendar days after the conclusion of the Contract Period or early termination of this Agreement, whichever is sooner.

 

3.2 Any funds that may remain after the conclusion of the Contract Period and the delivery of the final report will be returned to the Sponsor unless otherwise agreed by the Parties.

 

3.3 During the term of this Agreement, representatives of UBC will meet with representatives of the Sponsor at times and places mutually agreed upon to discuss the progress and results, as well as ongoing plans, or changes to the Project.

 

4.0 COSTS, INVOICES & OTHER SUPPORT

 

4.1 The Parties understand and agree that, subject to Article 4.3, the total costs to the Sponsor hereunder will be $476,000 (Canadian funds). The Parties acknowledge that any budget categories that may be described in the Project are estimates only and that changes from category to category may be made at UBC’s discretion. The Sponsor will pay to UBC the amounts on the following dates:

 

Payment Date Amount
On the Effective Date of this Agreement $50,400
3 months after Effective Date $50,400
6 months after Effective Date $50,400
9 months after Effective Date $50,400
12 months after Effective Date $34,300
15 months after Effective Date $34,300

 

  Page 3 of 12 
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Payment Date Amount
18 months after Effective Date $34,300
21 months after Effective Date $34,300
24 months after Effective Date $34,300
27 months after Effective Date $34,300
30 months after Effective Date $34,300
33 months after Effective Date $34,300

 

The Sponsor may make payments by wire transfer to:

 

xxXXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

XxxxxxxxxxXXXXXXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

UBC reserves the right to suspend work on the Project or to terminate the Project and this Agreement by delivering written notice of same to the Sponsor if the Sponsor fails to pay any invoiced amount within 30 calendar days from the due date.

 

The Sponsor will pay interest on all amounts owing to UBC but not paid on the due date, at the rate of 12.68% per annum, calculated annually not in advance. The interest accrues on the balance of unpaid amounts from time to time outstanding, from the date on which portions of the amounts become due and owing until payment in full.

 

4.2 UBC will retain title to any equipment purchased with funds provided by the Sponsor under this Agreement.

 

4.3 Notwithstanding anything contained in this Article 4.0, in the event of early termination of this Agreement, the Sponsor will pay all costs and liabilities relating to the Project which have been incurred by UBC as of the date of receipt of notice of such termination. Such costs and liabilities will include all non-cancellable obligations including payments in lieu of reasonable notice for technicians, graduate students and other staff assigned to the Project, provided that UBC provides the Sponsor with a detailed written breakdown of such costs and liabilities, but will not, in the aggregate, exceed the total amount payable by the Sponsor set out in Article 4.1. UBC will return to the Sponsor all uncommitted funds paid to UBC by the Sponsor in accordance with UBC’s financial statements.

 

5.0 CONFIDENTIALITY

 

5.1 The Recipient will keep and use the Discloser’s Confidential Information in confidence and will not, without the Discloser’s prior written consent, disclose the Discloser’s Confidential Information to any person or entity, except to the Recipient’s directors, officers, employees, faculty, students and professional advisors who require the Confidential Information to assist the Recipient in performing its obligations and exercising its rights under this Agreement.

 

  Page 4 of 12 
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5.2 A Recipient required by judicial or administrative process to disclose the Discloser’s Confidential Information will promptly notify the Discloser and allow it reasonable time to oppose the process before disclosing the Confidential Information.

 

5.3 The Sponsor requires of UBC, and to the extent permitted by law UBC agrees, that this Agreement, and each part of it, is confidential and will not be disclosed to third parties. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Article 5.0, the Parties acknowledge and agree that either Party may identify the title of the Project, the Parties to this Agreement, the name of the Investigator, the Contract Period and the amount of funding provided by the Sponsor for the Project.

 

5.4 Notwithstanding any termination or expiration of this Agreement, the obligations set out in this Article 5.0 survive and continue to bind the Parties, their successors and assigns until 10 years after such termination or expiration.

 

6.0 PUBLICATION

 

6.1 UBC is not restricted from presenting at symposia, national or regional professional meetings, or from publishing in journals or other publications, results from the Project, provided that the Sponsor is provided with copies of the proposed disclosure at least 60 calendar days before the submission of the presentation or publication and does not, within 30 calendar days after delivery of the proposed disclosure, give notice to UBC indicating that it objects to the proposed disclosure.

 

6.2 The Sponsor may object to the proposed disclosure on the grounds that (i) it contains Confidential Information that was disclosed to UBC by the Sponsor; or (ii) that it discloses patentable subject matter concerning Technology or Improvements which needs protection. If the Sponsor makes objection on the grounds of the inclusion of the Sponsor’s Confidential Information, UBC will remove such Confidential Information immediately from the proposed disclosure, after which UBC is free to present and/or publish the proposed disclosure. If the Sponsor makes an objection on the grounds of protection of patentable subject matter concerning the Technology or Improvements, UBC will delay the proposed disclosure until the Sponsor has filed one or more patent applications with one or more patent offices directed to the Technology or Improvements (the “Delay”). A provisional patent application will be considered to be a patent application in the United States of America for the purposes of this Agreement. The Delay will be no longer than six (6) months from the date UBC delivered the proposed disclosure to the Sponsor, after which UBC is free to present and/or publish the proposed disclosure.

 

6.3 Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, the Parties acknowledge and agree that no delay is permitted for the defense of a student’s thesis.

 

7.0 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 

7.1 The Sponsor acknowledges and agrees that UBC owns all right, title and interest in and to UBC Intellectual Property.

 

7.2 UBC acknowledges and agrees that the Sponsor owns all right, title and interest in and to the Technology and any Improvements, subject only to the rights granted to UBC under the Technology Assignment Agreement.

 

  Page 5 of 12 
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8.0 INTENTIONALLY DELETED.

 

9.0 TERM

 

9.1 This Agreement will be effective from the Effective Date for the full duration of the Contract Period unless terminated earlier under Article 10.0.

 

10.0 TERMINATION

 

10.1 Either Party may terminate this Agreement upon 30 calendar days prior written notice to the other.

 

10.2 If either Party commits any material breach or default of any terms or conditions of this Agreement and also fails to remedy such breach or default within 30 calendar days after receipt of a written notice from the other Party, the Party giving notice may terminate this Agreement by sending a notice of termination in writing to the Party in breach. This termination will be effective as of the date of the receipt of such notice. The termination may be in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity.

 

10.3 This Agreement may be terminated by UBC if the Sponsor is in breach of any other agreement between the Sponsor and UBC, which breach has not been cured within the time provided for the curing of such breach under the terms of such other agreement.

 

10.4 No termination of this Agreement, however effectuated, will release the Parties from their rights and obligations under Articles 4.3 (non-cancelable costs), 5.0 (Confidentiality), 7.0 (Intellectual Property), 10.5 (cessation of use of Confidential Information) and 12.0 (Indemnity).

 

10.5 Upon the termination of this Agreement, the Recipient will cease to use the Discloser’s Confidential Information in any manner whatsoever and upon the written request of the Discloser, will deliver to the Discloser all of the Discloser’s Confidential Information in the Recipient’s possession or control.

 

10.6 The Parties may extend this Agreement in writing for additional periods under mutually agreeable terms and conditions. Said extension will be effective upon signature by both Parties.

 

11.0 DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY

 

11.1 UBC makes no representations or warranties, either express or implied, regarding data or other results arising from the Project or regarding Confidential Information UBC may disclose to the Sponsor. UBC specifically disclaims any implied warranty of non- infringement or merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and UBC will, in no event, be liable for any loss, whether direct, consequential, incidental or special or other similar damages arising from any defect, error or failure to perform, even if UBC has been advised of the possibility of such damages. The Sponsor acknowledges that the Project is of an experimental and exploratory nature, that no particular results can be guaranteed, and that the Sponsor has been advised by UBC to undertake its own due diligence with respect to all matters arising from this Agreement.

 

  Page 6 of 12 
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12.0 INDEMNITY

 

12.1 The Sponsor indemnifies, holds harmless and defends UBC, its Board of Governors, directors, officers, employees, faculty, students, invitees and agents against any and all claims (including all reasonable legal fees and disbursements) arising out of the receipt or use by the Sponsor of any UBC’s Confidential Information or any data or other results arising from the Project including, without limitation, any damages or losses, consequential or otherwise, arising from or out of the Project, however they may arise.

 

13.0 INSURANCE

 

13.1 UBC has liability insurance applicable to its directors, officers, employees, faculty, students and agents while acting within the scope of their employment by UBC. UBC has no liability insurance policy that can extend protection to any other person. Therefore, subject to Article 12.1 (Indemnity), each Party hereby assumes any risks of personal injury and property damage attributable to the negligent acts or omissions of that Party and its directors, officers, employees and agents, and where applicable faculty and students.

 

14.0 GOVERNING LAW

 

14.1 This Agreement is governed by, and will be construed in accordance with, the laws of British Columbia and the laws of Canada in force in that province, without regard to its conflict of law rules. The Parties agree that by executing this Agreement, they have attorned to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

 

15.0 ASSIGNMENT

 

15.1 Neither Party may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

16.0 NOTICES

 

16.1 All payments, reports and notices or other documents that a Party is required or may want to deliver to any other Party will be delivered:

 

(a) in writing; and

 

(b) either by personal delivery or by registered or certified mail (with all postage and other charges prepaid) at the address for the receiving Party as set out in Article or as varied by any notice.

 

Any notice personally delivered is deemed to have been received at the time of delivery. Any notice mailed in accordance with this Article 16.1 is deemed to have been received at the end of the fifth business day after it is posted.

 

16.2 Addresses for delivery of notices:

 

Sponsor UBC
   
InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. Industry Contracts & Agreements
Attn: Eric Adams Manager
Suite 340, 200 Granville Street University-Industry Liaison Office
Vancouver, British Columbia #103 - 6190 Agronomy Road
Canada V6C 1S4 The University of British Columbia
  Vancouver, British Columbia
Telephone: (604) 306-6640 Canada V6T 1Z3
Email: eadams@inmedpharma.com Telephone: (604) 822-8580
  Fax: (604) 822-8589
   

 

  Page 7 of 12 
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16.3 The Sponsor may direct questions of a scientific nature or regarding financial matters to UBC through the following contacts:

 

Scientific Matters Financial Matters
   
Dr. Vikramaditya G. Yadav Manager, Research Finance Office
Department of Chemical & The University of British Columbia
Biological Engineering 4th Floor - TEF 3
The University of British Columbia 409 - 6190 Agronomy Road
207-2360 East Mall Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia Canada V6T 1Z3
Canada V6T Z3 Telephone: (604) 822-3275
Telephone: (604) 827-2706 Fax: (604) 822-2417
Email: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  

 

17.0 GENERAL

 

17.1 Nothing contained in this Agreement is to be deemed or construed to create between the Parties a partnership or joint venture. Neither Party has the authority to act on behalf of any other Party, or to commit the other Party in any manner at all or cause the other Party's name to be used in any way not specifically authorized by this Agreement. Neither Party may use the other Party’s name, trademarks or insignia for any advertising or any promotional purposes, including but not limited to media releases, without the other Party’s prior written consent.

 

17.2 Subject to the limitations in this Agreement, this Agreement operates for the benefit of and is binding on the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

17.3 No condoning, excusing or overlooking by either Party of any default, breach or non- observance by the other Party at any time or times regarding any terms of this Agreement operates as a waiver of that Party's rights under this Agreement. A waiver of any term, or right under this Agreement will be in writing signed by the Party entitled to the benefit of that term or right, and is effective only to the extent set out in the written waiver.

 

17.4 No exercise of a specific right or remedy by either Party precludes it from or prejudices it in exercising another right or pursuing another remedy or maintaining an action to which it may otherwise be entitled either at law or in equity.

 

17.5 Headings in this Agreement are for reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement and are not be used in the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

17.6 All terms in this Agreement which require performance by the Parties after the expiry or termination of this Agreement, will remain in force despite this Agreement's expiry or termination for any reason.

 

  Page 8 of 12 
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17.7 Part or all of any Article that is indefinite, invalid, illegal or otherwise voidable or unenforceable, may be severed from this Agreement and the balance of this Agreement will continue in full force and effect.

 

17.8 At the request of UBC or the Sponsor, the non-requesting Party will obtain the execution of any agreement or instrument (including from its employees, agents, contractors, consultants or representatives) that may be required to consummate the transactions contemplated in this Agreement, including assigning any rights, waiving any rights or perfecting any rights in such Party’s name.

 

17.9 This Agreement and the Schedules set out the entire understanding between the Parties and no changes to this Agreement are binding unless in writing and signed by the Parties to this Agreement. The Parties will be bound by the Schedules, except to the extent that they may conflict with the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement, in which case the terms and conditions of this Agreement will govern.

 

17.10 In this Agreement, unless the contrary intention appears, the singular includes the plural and vice versa and words importing a gender include other genders.

 

17.11 This Agreement may be executed in counterpart by the Parties, either through original copies or by facsimile or electronically each of which will be deemed an original and all of which will constitute the same instrument.

 

SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS

 

  Page 9 of 12 
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SIGNED BY THE PARTIES AS AN AGREEMENT effective as of the date on which the last of the Parties executes this Agreement.

 

  SIGNED FOR AND ON BEHALF of  
  THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA  
  by its duly authorized signatory:  
  /s/ Mario kasapi  

Mario Kasapi

2018.05.11 13:32:05 -07'00'

  Name:    
  Title:    
  Date:    
       
       
  /s/ J.P. Heale

Dr. J.P. Heale

2018.05.14

08:15:51 -07'00'

  Name: Dr. J.P. Heale  
  Title: Managing Director, UILO  
  Date:    
       
       
  SIGNED FOR AND ON BEHALF of  
  INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.  
  by its duly authorized signatory:  
  /s/ Eric A. Adams  
  Name: /s/ Eric A. Adams  
  Title: CEO and President  
  Date: 15 May 2018  
       
       
  I have read and understood the foregoing Agreement and understand my responsibilities as the Investigator. I further confirm that I will not commence the performance of the Project until UBC receives the first payment from the Sponsor.
  /s/ Vikramaditya G. Yadav  
  Name: Dr. Vikramaditya G. Yadav  
  Title:    
  Date:    

 

  Page 10 of 12 
UBC File: F18-01776

 

SCHEDULE “A”

 

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
AND BUDGET

 

Proposal: see attached PDF

Budget:

  2018 2019 2020
Human resources xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx
Research assistant 1 (PhD student - molecular biology) xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx
Research assistant 2 (PhD student - molecular biology) xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx
Research technician xxxxxx x x
Reagents, materials & equipment xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx
Genes & sequencing costs xxxxxx x x
Biological reagents & kits xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx
Equipment maintenance (HPLC & GC maintenance contracts) xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
Chemical reagents xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
Chemical synthesis xxxxx x x
Direct costs xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx
Overheads xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx
Annual totals 201,600 137,200 137,200
       
Total project budget 201,600 137,200 137,200
Total     476,000

 

  Page 11 of 12 

 

 

MICROBIAL METABOLIC ENGINEERING FOR CANNABINOID BIOSYNTHESIS

 

[*] 

 

 

 

 

[*] = Certain confidential information contained in this document, marked by brackets, has been omitted because it is both (i) not material and (ii) would be competitively harmful if publicly disclosed.

 

 

 

 
 

 

UBC File: F18-01776

 

SCHEDULE “B”

 

TECHNOLOGY ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

 

 

 

The Technology Assignment Agreement is attached hereto.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Page 12 of 12 

 

 
 

 

 

[*] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED BECAUSE IT IS BOTH (i) NOT MATERIAL AND (ii) WOULD BE COMPETITIVELY HARMFUL IF PUBLICLY DISCLOSED.

 

 

 

 

UBC File No. 18-0114

 

TECHNOLOGY ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is made as of the 31st day of May 2017 (the “Effective Date”)

BETWEEN:

THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, a corporation continued under the University Act of British Columbia with offices at #103-6190 Agronomy Road, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3

(“UBC')

AND:

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC., a corporation incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, with a registered office at 350- 409 Granville St., Vancouver, BC, V6C 1T2

(the "Assignee")

WHEREAS:

A.        UBC has been engaged in research sponsored by the Assignee during the course of which it has invented, developed and/or acquired certain technology relating to the metabolic engineering of yeast and bacteria for synthesis of cannabinoids and cannabis-derived terpenoids, which research was undertaken by Prof. Vikramaditya Yadav (the "Investigator") in the UBC Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering whether prior to, during or after the Contract Period set out in the Collaborative Research Agreement dated May 22, 2015 (collectively, “Sponsored Research’’);

B.        It is UBC's objective to exploit its technology for the public benefit, and to generate further research in a manner consistent with its status as a non-profit, tax exempt educational institution; and

C.       UBC and the Assignee have agreed to an assignment of UBC’s right, title, and interest in the Technology and Improvements (as defined below) from UBC to the Assignee on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement.

THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

1.0       Definitions:

1.1       In this Agreement:

(a) "Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified person, any other person that directly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified person. For the purposes of this Article 1.1(a), “control” shall mean:
(i) in the case of corporate entities, the direct or indirect ownership of at least 50% of the stock or participating shares entitled to vote in the general meeting of shareholders, and

 

    2 File No. 18-0014

 

 

(ii) in the case of a partnership or other legal entity, ownership of at least 50% interest in the income or at least a 50% interest in the power to direct the management or policies of such entity;
(b) "Confidential Information" means any information relating to the Technology, the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and any and all oral, written, electronic or other communications and other information disclosed or provided by the Assignee pursuant to this Agreement, including all business records and financial information, which is non-public, confidential or proprietary in nature, whether written, oral or in electronic form, but excluding any part of the Information:
(i) published or available to the general public otherwise than through a breach of this Agreement;
(ii) obtained by UBC from a third party with a valid right to disclose it, provided that said third party is not known by UBC to be under a confidentiality obligation to the Assignee; or
(iii) independently developed by employees, agents or consultants of UBC who had no knowledge of or access to the Confidential Information as evidenced by its business records.
(c) “Field” means the metabolic engineering of yeast and bacteria for synthesis of cannabinoids and cannabis-derived terpenoids;
(d) “Improvements" means improvements, variations, updates, modifications, and enhancements made and/or acquired at any time after the Effective Date by:
(i) the Investigator while employed at UBC, or
(ii) jointly, by the Investigator while employed at UBC, and the Assignee or any licensees of the Assignee,

directly relating to the Technology and within the Field;

(e) “Improvement Patents" means patents and patent applications that claim Improvements;
(f) "Licensing Revenue" means all revenues, receipts, monies, and the fair market value of any shares or other securities and all other consideration directly or indirectly collected or received whether by way of cash, credit or other value received by the Assignee under each agreement relating to a license, assignment, grant or transfer of the Assignee’s rights in the Technology and/or any Improvements, and/or any Products whether by way of license, assignment development agreement or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing Licensing Revenue will include all:
(i) milestone payments, royalties, license fees, option fees, and the fair market value of all consideration received in connection with any sublicense, assignment, grant or transfer of the Assignee’s rights in the Technology or any Improvements, and/or any Products, and

 

 

 

 

    3 File No. 18-0014
(ii) research or development fees in excess of the direct reimbursement for the actual costs of such research and development incurred by the Assignee under a written research plan and agreement,

received by the Assignee from any licensee or assignee relating to the Assignee’s rights in the Technology, Improvements or any Products, less reimbursement of research and development costs and patent costs.

For clarity, Licensing Revenue shall not include:

(iii) any equity investment made by a third party to purchase shares of the Assignee;
(iv) loans to the Assignee from a licensee or assignee, except to the extent that the interest charged for same is less than fair market value (in which case such difference shall be Licensing Revenue) or to the extent that the principal of same is forgiven (in which case such forgiven amount shall be Licensing Revenue); and
(v) any Sales Revenue;
(g) "Patents" means collectively:
(i) the United States patents and patent applications identified in Schedule "A",
(ii) all United States patents issued from the patent applications identified in Schedule “A",
(iii) all United States counterparts, continuations, divisionals, continuing prosecution applications, and requests for continued examinations, extensions, term restorations, renewals, reissues, re-examinations, or substitutions of the patents and patent applications identified in Schedule "A",
(iv) all Canadian and international patent applications corresponding to those described in paragraphs (i) and (iii) above,
(v) all Canadian and foreign patent applications, including supplementary protection certificates and other administrative protections corresponding to those described in paragraphs (i) and (iii) above, and
(vi) all Canadian, international and foreign counterpart patents resulting from any of the patent applications described in paragraphs (iv) and (v) above,

all of which will be deemed added, from time to time, to Schedule "A";

(h) "Product(s)" means a product, the manufacture or sale of which would, but for the license granted herein, infringe a Valid Claim of one or more of the Patents and/or the Improvement Patents in the country of manufacture or sale;
(i) "Royalty Due Dates" means the last day of March, June, September and December of each year during the Royalty Term;

 

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(j) "Royalty Term” starts on the Effective Date and ends on the expiry of the last Valid Claim under the Patents or Improvement Patents assigned under this Agreement;

(k) "Sales Revenue" means all revenues, receipts, money, and the fair market value of any shares or other securities, or other consideration directly or indirectly collected or received whether by way of cash, credit or other value received by the Assignee (but not including monies collected from any licensee or assignee of the Assignee) from the marketing, manufacturing, sale, use or distribution of any Products, less the following deductions to the extent included in the amounts invoiced and thereafter actually allowed and taken:
(i) credit, allowances or refunds given on account of returned goods,
(ii) transportation charges invoiced separately and actually charged to third parties,
(iii) direct sales taxes and customs duties applied on the sales of Products,
(iv) agents’ commissions paid by the Licensee for the sale of Products, and
(v) bona fide special rebates provided by the Licensee for Products purchased by third parties.

For clarity, Sales Revenue shall not include any equity investment made by a third party to purchase shares of the Assignee;

(l) "Technology'' means the Patents and all work product arising from the Sponsored Research in the Field as described in Schedule "A"; and
(m) “Valid Claim” means:
(i) a claim of a pending patent application, provided that the patent application has not been pending for longer than seven (7) years after the date from which such application claims priority, and

(ii)       a claim of an issued, unexpired patent,

that has not been:

(iii) permanently revoked or held invalid, unpatentable or unenforceable by a final decision of a court or governmental agency of competent jurisdiction, which decision is unappealable or was not appealed within the time allowed therefor, or
(iv) admitted in writing to be invalid or unenforceable by the holder(s) by reissue, disclaimer or otherwise.

2.0       Assignment of the Technology and Improvements:

2.1       Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, UBC agrees to transfer, sell and assign on the Closing Date to the Assignee all of UBC's right, title and interest in and to the Technology.

 

    5 File No. 18-0014

 

2.2       Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, UBC agrees to transfer sell and assign to the Assignee all of UBC’s right, title, and interest in and to any Improvements.

2.3       Notwithstanding Articles 2.1 or 2.2 above, the Assignee hereby:

(a) grants to UBC a world-wide, fully paid-up, non-exclusive license to use the Technology and any Improvements without charge in any manner whatsoever for research, scholarly publication, educational and other non-commercial use; and
(b) acknowledges and agrees that UBC and its faculty, researchers and students, shall not be restricted from presenting at symposia, national or regional professional meetings, orfrom publishing in journals or other publications accounts of their research relating to the Technology or any Improvements, provided that the Assignee is provided with copies of the proposed disclosure at least 60 days before the presentation or publication date and does not, within 30 days after delivery of the proposed disclosure, give notice to UBC indicating that it objects to the proposed disclosure. The Assignee may object to the proposed disclosure on the grounds that (i) it contains Confidential Information that was disclosed to UBC by the Assignee; or (ii) that it discloses patentable subject matter which needs protection. If the Assignee makes objection on the grounds of the inclusion of the Assignee’s Confidential Information, UBC will remove such Confidential Information immediately from the proposed disclosure, after which UBC shall be free to present and/or publish the proposed disclosure. If the Assignee makes an objection on the grounds of protection of patentable subject matter. UBC will delay the proposed disclosure until Assignee has filed one or more patent applications with one or more patent offices directed to such patentable subject matter (the “Delay”). A provisional patent application will be considered to be a patent application in the United States of America for the purposes of this Agreement. The Delay will be no longer than six (6) months from the date UBC delivers the proposed disclosure to the Assignee, after which UBC shall be free to present and/or publish the proposed disclosure. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, the Parties acknowledge and agree that no delay shall be permitted for the defense of a student's thesis.

The rights granted to UBC pursuant to this Article 2.3 shall be irrevocable, royalty-free and perpetual.

 

3.0       Payment to UBC for Assignment:

3.1       In consideration for the assignment of the Technology and any Improvements to the Assignee, the Assignee will pay to UBC, on a calendar quarterly basis, a royalty of [*]% of all Sales Revenues and a royalty of [*]% of all Licensing Revenues.

3.2       Royalties shall be payable on sales of Products in each country until the expiration of the last Valid Claim under the Patents or the Improvements Patents applicable to such Product in that country. For greater clarity it is confirmed that if a Product is covered by a Valid Claim in the country of manufacture, then the royalty rate set out in Article 3.1 is applicable to the Sales Revenues received from the sale or use of the Product in all countries to which such Product is exported regardless of whether the Product is covered by a Valid Claim in the country of use or sale.

 

 

[*] = Certain confidential information contained in this document, marked by brackets, has been omitted because it is both (i) not material and (ii) would be competitively harmful if publicly disclosed.

 

 

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3.3       The calculation of sales of Products shall be adjusted for combination products and generic competition. If the Assignee obtains a license under any third party patent rights which in the Assignee’s reasonable judgement is desirable or necessary to develop or commercialize the Product, then the Assignee may deduct from the royalties payable under Article 3.1 an amount equal to 50% of the royalty payments payable to such third party on a country by country basis for the applicable calendar quarter. If a generic equivalent of a Product is launched in a country, the royalties payable in such country shall be reduced by 50%. In no situation will the calculations made under this Article 3.3 reduce the royalties payable to UBC under Article 3.1 by more than 50% in any country.

3.4       The royalty is due and payable within 30 days after each respective Royalty Due Date and is to be calculated with respect to the Sales Revenue and Licensing Revenue in the 3-month period immediately before the applicable Royalty Due Date.

3.5       All royalties paid by the Assignee to UBC under this Agreement will be in Canadian dollars without any reduction or deduction of any nature or kind at all. If the Assignee receives any Sales Revenue or Licensing Revenue in a currency other than Canadian dollars, the currency will be converted to the equivalent in Canadian dollars on the date that any amount is payable to UBC, at the rate of exchange set by the Bank of Montreal for buying Canadian dollars with such currency. The amount of Canadian dollars resulting from the conversion is to be included in Sales Revenue or Licensing Revenue.

3.6       Products are deemed to have been sold by the Assignee and included in the Sales Revenue when invoiced, delivered, shipped,, or paid for, whichever is the first.

3.7       Any transaction, disposition, or other dealing involving all or part of the Technology or any Improvements or Products, between the Assignee and another person (other than the Assignee’s Affiliates) that is not made at fair market value is deemed to have been made at fair market value, and the fair market value of the transaction, disposition, or other dealing will be added to and deemed part of the Sales Revenue, and will be included in the calculation of royalties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Sales Revenue shall not include and no royalties will be payable on Products used for research and development of the Products or the Technology or any Improvements for which the Assignee does not receive consideration, such as but not limited to dispositions for clinical trials, marketing, research use and compassionate use or for other similar uses.

3.8       No royalties shall be payable on Licensing Revenue paid to the Assignee by its Affiliates, but royalties shall be payable on the Licensing Revenue of the Assignee’s Affiliates from a third party.

4.0       Disclaimer of Warranty:

4.1       UBC makes no representations, conditions or warranties, either express or

implied, regarding the Technology or any Improvements. Without limitation, UBC specifically disclaims any implied warranty, condition or representation that the Technology or any Improvements:

(a)       corresponds with a particular description;

(b)       is of merchantable quality;

(c)       is fit for a particular purpose; or

 

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(d) is durable for a reasonable period of time.

4.2       UBC is not liable for any loss, whether direct, consequential, incidental or special, which the Assignee or other third parties suffer arising from any defect, error or fault of the Technology or any Improvements, or its failure to perform, even if UBC is aware of the possibility of the defect, error, fault or failure. The Assignee acknowledges that it has been advised by UBC to undertake its own due diligence regarding the Technology or any Improvements.

4.3       Nothing in this Agreement:

(a) constitutes a warranty or representation by UBC as to title to the Technology or any Improvements, or that anything made, used, sold or otherwise disposed of with respect to, or using the Technology or any Improvements, will not infringe the patents, copyrights, trade-marks, industrial designs or other intellectual property rights of any third parties, or any patents, copyrights, trade-marks, industrial design or other intellectual property rights owned, in whole or in part, by UBC, or licensed by UBC to any third parties;
(b) constitutes an express or implied warranty or representation by UBC that the Assignee has, or will have, the freedom to operate or practice the Technology or any Improvements, or the freedom to make, have made, use, sell or otherwise dispose of Products;
(c) imposes an obligation on UBC to bring, prosecute or defend actions or suits against third parties for infringement of patents, copyrights, trade-marks, industrial designs or other intellectual property or contractual rights; or
(d) confers the right to use in any advertising or publicity the name of UBC or any UBC trade-marks, service mark, logo, insignia, seal, design, symbol, or device used by UBC in relation to the Technology or any Improvements or anything made used, sold or otherwise disposed of by the Assignee with respect to the Technology or any Improvements.

5.0       Patents:

5.1       The Assignee will manage the patent portfolio of the Patents and any

Improvement Patents and may identify any patentable Improvement and the Assignee shall take reasonable steps to apply for an Improvement Patent. The Assignee shall pay all costs of applying for, registering and maintaining the Patents and Improvement Patents. UBC will on request and without payment, do such further acts and execute and deliver to the Assignee such assignments, applications and documents as the Assignee or its counsel may reasonably request or deem necessary and desirable to:

(a) evidence, give effect to and complete the assignment of the Patents and Improvement Patents; and
(b) obtain any Patents and Improvement Patents, copyrights or other protection in the Technology required to protect the interests of the Assignee therein.

 

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6.0       Indemnity and Limitation of Liability:

6.1       The Assignee indemnifies, holds harmless and defends UBC and its Board of Governors, officers, employees, faculty, students, invitees and agents against any and all claims (including all associated legal fees and disbursements actually incurred) arising out of the use, or exercise, of any rights with respect to the Technology or any Improvements by the Assignee, including without limitation agaihst any damages or losses, consequential or otherwise, arising in any manner at all from or out of the use of the Technology or any Improvements by the Assignee or its customers, licensees, sublicensees, agents, collaborators, Affiliates or their customers or end users.

6.2       The Assignee acknowledges and agrees that:

(a) that the assignment of the Technology hereunder is on an “as is" basis, and that the Assignee has conducted its own due diligence with respect to the Technology and any Improvements;
(b) UBC's total liability, whether under the express or implied terms of this Agreement, in tort (including negligence) or at common law, for any loss or damage suffered by the Assignee, whether direct, indirect or special, or any other similar damage that may arise or does arise from any breaches of this Agreement by UBC or its Board of Governors, officers, employees, faculty, students or agents, is limited to the amount of CDN$1,000.

7.0       Assignee’s Warrantees:

7.1       In order to induce UBC to enter into this Agreement, the Assignee hereby represents and warrants to UBC that:

(a) the Assignee is a company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of British Columbia;
(b) the Assignee has all necessary corporate power, authority and capacity to acquire the Technology and any Improvements and perform its obligations pursuant to this Agreement;
(c) the execution and delivery of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Assignee; and
(d) the Assignee is not a party to, bound by or subject to any license, agreement, instrument, statute, regulation, order, judgment, decree or law which would be violated, contravened or breached by or under which any default would occur as a result of the execution of and delivery by the Assignee of this Agreement or the performance by the Assignee of any of its terms.

8.0       Accounting Records, Reports & Notices:

8.1       All reports and notices or other documents that a party is required or may want to deliver to the other party will be delivered in writing either by personal delivery or by registered or certified mail at the address for the receiving party set out on page one of this Agreement or as varied by any notice. Any notice personally delivered shall be deemed to have been received at the time of delivery. Any notice mailed in accordance with this Article shall be deemed to have been received at the end of the fifth day after it is posted.

 

 

 

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8.2       The Assignee will maintain at its principal place of business, or another place as may be most convenient, separate accounts and records of all Sales Revenues and all business done by the Assignee in connection with the Technology, Improvements and Products. The accounts and records will be in sufficient detail to enable proper returns to be made under this Agreement and the Assignee will cause its licensees, transferees and assignees to keep similar accounts and records.

8.3       The Assignee will complete and deliver to UBC on or before each and every Royalty Due Date a report in a form sufficient to verify accurately and completely the Sales Revenue, together with a calculation of the royalty payable under this Agreement (a "Payment Report”). Each Payment Report will include, without limitation:

(a) a list of each Product by name and description;
(b) sales of each Product by country of sales, including the number of units sold, price per unit, and any deductions taken from gross revenue;
(c) the method of calculation of any currency conversion; and
(d) the method by which the royalty amount is calculated;

and be signed by a senior officer of the Assignee to verify the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in the Payment Report.

8.4       The calculation of all payments due to UBC under this Agreement will be carried out in accordance with generally accepted Canadian accounting principles applied on a consistent basis.

8.5       The Assignee will retain the accounts and records referred to in this Article 8 for at least six (6) years from when they were made and will permit any duly authorized representative of UBC to inspect, at UBC's expense, the accounts and records during the Assignee’s normal business hours. The Assignee will provide to the representative all reasonable evidence necessary to verify the accounts and records and will allow copies to be made of the accounts, records and agreements. If an inspection of the Assignee’s records by UBC shows an under-reporting or underpayment by the Assignee of any amount to UBC by more than 5% for any 12 month period, then the Assignee will reimburse UBC for the cost of the inspection as well as pay to ubq any amount found due (including any Interest) within 30 days of notice by UBC to the Assignee.

8.6       UBC agrees that the information set forth in the Payment Reports and the accounts and records subject to inspection under Section 8.5 shall be subject to the obligations of confidentiality set out in Article 9 and shall be maintained in confidence by UBC and its representatives, shall not be used for any purpose other than verification of the Assignee’s performance hereunder, and shall not be disclosed to any other person except for purposes of enforcing this Agreement.

9.0       Confidentiality

9.1       The Assignee's Confidential Information shall be received and used by UBC solely in furtherance of the purposes set forth in this Agreement subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Article 9.

 

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9.2       UBC shall keep and use all of the Assignee’s Confidential Information in confidence and will not, without the Assignee's prior written consent, disclose any of the Assignee’s Confidential Information to any person or entity, except those of UBC's officers, employees, faculty, students, consultants and professional advisors who require such Confidential Information in performing their obligations under this Agreement.

9.3       UBC shall not use, either directly or indirectly, any of the Assignee’s Confidential Information for any purpose other than as contemplated herein without the Assignee’s prior written consent.

9.4       If UBC is required by judicial or administrative process to disclose any or all of the Assignee's Confidential Information, UBC shall promptly notify the Assignee and, when available allow the Assignee reasonable time to oppose such process before disclosing any such Confidential Information.

9.5       Notwithstanding any termination or expiration of this Agreement, the obligations created in this Article 9 shall survive and be binding upon UBC and its successors and assigns.

10.0       Further Assignment:

10.1       The Assignee will not assign this Agreement, or sell, transfer or assign, or license on a royalty-free basis for a prepaid amount, the Technology and/or any Improvements or any part thereof (each, a ‘Transfer") to any other party (a “Third Party”) without the prior written consent of UBC, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed by UBC, and provided that UBC will grant such consent if:

(a) the Assignee acknowledges that all rights granted in this Agreement to UBC shall survive any such Transfer until superseded by the agreement described in paragraph (b) below; and
(b) that the Third Party shall on closing of the Transfer execute a written agreement, in a form approved by UBC, which provides that the Third Party covenants and agrees with UBC to assume and adopt as its own obligation the covenants and obligations of the Assignee under this Agreement.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, UBC agrees that the Assignee shall have the right to sell, transfer or assign, or license on a royalty-free basis for a prepaid amount, the Technology and/or any Improvements or any part thereof to an Affiliate, provided that such Affiliate shall accept an assignment and assumption of this Agreement, and assume and adopt as its own obligations the covenants and obligations of the Assignee under this Agreement.

11.0       General:

11.1       This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia.

11.2       The Assignee will pay all taxes and any related interest or penalty howsoever designated and imposed as a result of the existence or operation of this Agreement. All amounts and consideration specified as payable by the Assignee to UBC in this Agreement are exclusive of taxes. If UBC is required to collect a tax to be paid by the Assignee, the Assignee will pay such tax to UBC on demand.

 

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11.3       Nothing contained in this Agreement is to be deemed or construed to create between the parties a partnership or joint venture. Neither party has the authority to act on behalf of any other party, or to commit the other party in any manner at all or cause the other party's name to be used in any way not specifically authorized by this Agreement.

11.4       Subject to the limitations in this Agreement, this Agreement operates for the benefit of and is binding on the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

11.5       No condoning, excusing or overlooking by any party of any default, breach or non-observance by any other party at any time or times regarding any terms of this Agreement operates as a waiver of that party's rights under this Agreement. A waiver of any term, or right under, this Agreement will be in writing signed by the party entitled to the benefit of that term or right, and is effective only to the extent set out in the written waiver.

11.6       No exercise of a specific right or remedy by any party precludes it from or prejudices it in exercising another right or pursuing another remedy or maintaining an action to which it may otherwise be entitled either at law or in equity.

11.7       All terms which require performance by the parties after the expiry or termination of this Agreement, will remain in force despite this Agreement's expiry or termination for any reason.

11.8       Part or all of any Article that is indefinite, invalid, illegal or otherwise voidable or unenforceable may be severed and the balance of this Agreement will continue in full force and effect.

11.9       This Agreement sets out the entire understanding between the parties and no changes are binding unless signed in writing by the parties to this Agreement.

11.10       Time is of the essence of this Agreement.

11.11        This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (either originally or by facsimile), each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument,

 

 

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           IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

 

 
 

 

-13-

SCHEDULE “A"

DESCRIPTION OF THE TECHNOLOGY AND MATERIALS

The "Technology” shall include:

1.       the following patent application:

(a) United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62344248 entitled “Metabolic Engineering of Cannabinoids” submitted June 1,2016;
and

2.       all work product arising prior to the Effective Date from the Sponsored Research created or developed by Dr. Vikramaditya G. Yadav, Dr. Protiva Roy, Dr. Sandip V. Pawar. Dr. Sarvesh Kumar, Daniel Korvin and any UBC employees working in the UBC laboratory of Dr. Vikramaditya G. Yadav, whether alone or with others, including Dr. Sazzad Hossain, whether prior to, during or after the Contract Period set out in the Collaborative Research Agreement between UBC and the Assignee dated May 22, 2015 (including intellectual property classified as UBC Intellectual Property or Joint Intellectual Property under the Collaborative Research Agreement) relating to or having application to the metabolic engineering of yeast and bacteria for synthesis of cannabinoids and cannabis-derived terpenoids, including, without limitation:

(a) any and all discoveries, developments, enhancements, improvements, concepts, designs, strategies, formulas, processes, ideas, writings, and other works, whether or not reduced to practice and whether or not protectable under patent, copyright, trade secret or similar laws, including, without limitation, designs and strategies for recombinant DNA vectors and other nucleic acid constructs, and transformed bacteria and yeast cells; and
(b) all information, protocols, procedures, specifications, results, data, formulae , unpatented inventions, manufacturing information, technical dossiers, drawings, regulatory records and quality system documentation, including, without limitation, experimental protocols, experimental data, process development data, manufacturing protocols, manufacturing data, process conditions, formulae for cell culture and fermentation media, isolation and purification protocols, technical analyses, technical reports, formulation records, toxicological assay results, test procedures, test results and the contents of laboratory notebooks.

 

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO TECHNOLOGY ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDMENT AGREEMENT dated for reference as of the 31s' day of May, 2017 (the "Effective Date”)

BETWEEN:

THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, a corporation continued under the University Act of British Columbia with offices at #103-6190 Agronomy Road, Vancouver, British Columbia,

V6T 1Z3

("UBC")

AND:

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC., a corporation incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, with a registered office at #350-409 Granville St., Vancouver, BC, V6C 1T2

(the "Assignee")

WHEREAS:

A.       UBC and the Assignee have entered into a Technology Assignment Agreement dated May 31, 2017, referenced as UBC File No. 18-0014 (the "Assignment Agreement”); and

B.       UBC and the Assignee desire to amend the Assignment Agreement on the terms and conditions set out in this Amendment Agreement;

NOW THEREFORE the parties hereby agree as follows:

1.       Definitions

Capitalized words and expressions used in this Amendment Agreement (including the recitals to this Agreement) that are defined in the Assignment Agreement and not otherwise defined in this Amendment Agreement shall have the meanings given to them in the Assignment Agreement.

2.       Amendment to Definition of “Improvements”

The Assignment Agreement is hereby amended as of the Effective Date by deleting Section 1.1(d) and substituting therefor the following:

“(d) "Improvements" means improvements, variations, updates, modifications, and enhancements made and/or acquired at any time after the Effective Date by:

(i) the Investigator, Dr. Protiva Roy, Dr. Sandip V. Pawar. Dr. Sarvesh Kumar, Daniel Korvin and any UBC employees working in the UBC laboratory of the Investigator (collectively, the "Yadav Lab Researchers”) while employed at UBC, or
(ii) jointly, by any of the Yadav Lab Researchers while employed at UBC and the Assignee or any licensees of the Assignee,

directly relating to the Technology and within the Field;”

 

 

 

 

-2-

3.       Other Terms Unchanged

Except as expressly amended hereby, all other terms and conditions of the Assignment Agreement remain unchanged and in full force and effect.

4.       General Provisions

(a) This Amendment Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia.
(b) Subject to the limitations in the Assignment Agreement, this Amendment Agreement operates for the benefit of and is binding on the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
(c) Part or all of any section that is indefinite, invalid, illegal or otherwise voidable or unenforceable may be severed and the balance of this Amendment Agreement will continue in full force and effect.
(d) This Amendment Agreement sets out the entire understanding between the parties and no changes are binding unless signed in writing by the parties.
(e) This Amendment Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (either originally or by facsimile), each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Amendment Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

 

 

 

[*] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED BECAUSE IT IS BOTH (i) NOT MATERIAL AND (ii) WOULD BE COMPETITIVELY HARMFUL IF PUBLICLY DISCLOSED.

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.15

 

 

 

UBC File: F18-01776

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AGREEMENT

BETWEEN:

THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, a corporation

continued under the University Act of British Columbia with offices at 103 - 6190 Agronomy Road, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 123

 

("UBC")

 

AND:

 

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada, with a registered office at Suite 340, 200 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 1S4

(the "Sponsor")

(collectively referred to as the "Parties")

 

WHEREAS:

 

The Parties entered into a Collaborative Research Agreement effective May 15, 2018 (the "CRA") and wish to amend and restate the CRA as UBC has been awarded a National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada ("NSERC") Collaborative Research and Develop Grant for the project "Microbial metabolic engineering for cannabinoid biosynthesis (the "Grant"). The Grant will be leveraged by cash and in-kind contributions from the Sponsor as set out in this Agreement.

 

It is UBC's objective to generate research in a manner consistent with UBC's status as a non- profit, tax exempt educational institution;

 

The Parties entered into a Collaborative Research Agreement effective May 22, 2015 relating to research regarding the metabolic engineering of yeast and bacteria for synthesis of cannabinoids and cannabis-derived terpenoids undertaken by the Investigator (as defined below) and subsequently entered into a Technology Assignment Agreement (as defined below) which assigns to the Sponsor certain rights to the Technology and Improvements (both as defined below) arising from the Sponsored Research (as defined below); and

 

The research program contemplated by this Agreement is a continuation of the Sponsored Research, and is of mutual interest and benefit to UBC and to the Sponsor, will further the instructional and research objectives of UBC in a manner consistent with its status as a non-profit, tax-exempt, educational institution, and may derive benefits for both the Sponsor and UBC through inventions, improvements and discoveries.

 

THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

 

1.0 DEFINITIONS

 

1.1 In this Agreement:

 

 

Page 1 of 12

 

 

UBC File: F18-01776

 

 

 

(a) "Confidential Information" means all information, regardless of its form:

 

(i) disclosed by UBC to the Sponsor and which is clearly identified in writing as "Confidential" either at the time of disclosure or within 30 calendar days thereafter,

 

or

 

(ii) disclosed by the Sponsor to UBC and which is clearly identified in writing as "Confidential" either at the time of disclosure or within 30 calendar days thereafter,

 

except that "Confidential Information" does not include information:

 

(iii) possessed by the recipient (the "Recipient") prior to receipt from the disclosing Party (the "Discloser"), other than through prior confidential disclosure by the Discloser, as evidenced by the Recipient's business records;

 

(iv) published or available to the general public otherwise than through a breach of this Agreement;

 

(v) obtained by the Recipient from a third party with a valid right to disclose it, provided that the third party is not under a confidentiality obligation to the Discloser in respect of the same; or

 

(vi) independently developed by employees, agents or consultants of the Recipient who had no knowledge of or access to the Discloser's information as evidenced by the Recipient's business records.

 

(b) "Contract Period" means the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending July 10, 2021.

 

(c) "Improvements" has the meaning set out in the Technology Assignment Agreement.

 

(d) "Investigator" means Dr. Vikramaditya G. Yadav of the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering at UBC.

 

(e) "Project" means the research project as described in Schedule "A".

 

(f) "Effective Date" means May 15, 2018.

 

(g) "Sponsored Research" has the meaning as set out in the Technology Assignment Agreement.

 

(h) "Technology" has the meaning as set out in the Technology Assignment Agreement.

 

 

 

 

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(i) "Technology Assignment Agreement" means the agreement between the Parties effective May 31, 2017 and attached hereto as Schedule "B" and any amendments thereto executed from time to time.

 

(j) "UBC Intellectual Property" means, any and all knowledge, know-how, technique(s), technology or other intellectual property which are conceived, invented, developed, improved or acquired by UBC during the Contract Period in the performance of the Project, but excludes the Technology and Improvements.

 

2.0 RESEARCH WORK

 

2.1 UBC acknowledges and agrees that the Project shall form a part of the Sponsored Research.

 

2.2 UBC will commence the performance of the Project after UBC's receipt of the first payment set out in Article 4.1 (the "Start Date") and will use reasonable efforts to perform the Project substantially in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Sponsor and UBC may at any time amend the Project by mutual written agreement.

 

2.3 If the Investigator becomes unable or unwilling to continue the Project, and a mutually acceptable substitute is not available, UBC and the Sponsor will each have the option to terminate the Project and this Agreement by providing the other Party with written notice of same.

 

3.0 REPORTS & CONFERENCES

 

3.1 During the Contract Period, UBC will keep the Sponsor informed, orally or in writing, as to the progress of the Project. UBC will submit a final report to the Sponsor within 60 calendar days after the conclusion of the Contract Period or early termination of this Agreement, whichever is sooner.

 

3.2 Any funds that may remain after the conclusion of the Contract Period and the delivery of the final report will be returned to the Sponsor unless otherwise agreed by the Parties.

 

3.3 During the term of this Agreement, representatives of UBC will meet with representatives of the Sponsor at times and places mutually agreed upon to discuss the progress and results, as well as ongoing plans, or changes to the Project.

 

4.0 COSTS, INVOICES & OTHER SUPPORT

 

4.1 The Parties understand and agree that, subject to Article 4.3, the total costs to the Sponsor hereunder will be $255,000 (Canadian funds). The Parties acknowledge that any budget categories that may be described in the Project are estimates only and that changes from category to category may be made at UBC's discretion. The Sponsor will pay to UBC the amounts on the following dates:

 

Payment Date Amount
On the Effective Date of the CRA

$50,400

(received)

 

 

 

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UBC File: F18-01776

 

Payment Date Amount
On signature of this Amended and Restated Agreement $57,600
May 15, 2019 $73,500
May 15, 2020 $73,500

 

The Sponsor may make payments by wire transfer to:

 

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX BC -  XXXXXXXXXXXXX
HKBCCATT

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

 

UBC reserves the right to suspend work on the Project or to terminate the Project and this Agreement by delivering written notice of same to the Sponsor if the Sponsor fails to pay any invoiced amount within 30 calendar days from the due date.

 

The Sponsor will pay interest on all amounts owing to UBC but not paid on the due date, at the rate of 12.68% per annum, calculated annually not in advance. The interest accrues on the balance of unpaid amounts from time to time outstanding, from the date on which portions of the amounts become due and owing until payment in full.

 

4.2 UBC will retain title to any equipment purchased with funds provided by the Sponsor under this Agreement.

 

4.3 Notwithstanding anything contained in this Article 4.0, in the event of early termination of this Agreement, the Sponsor will pay all costs and liabilities relating to the Project which have been incurred by UBC as of the date of receipt of notice of such termination. Such costs and liabilities will include all non-cancellable obligations including payments in lieu of reasonable notice for technicians, graduate students and other staff assigned to the Project, provided that UBC provides the Sponsor with a detailed written breakdown of such costs and liabilities, but will not, in the aggregate, exceed the total amount payable by the Sponsor set out in Article 4.1. UBC will return to the Sponsor all uncommitted funds paid to UBC by the Sponsor in accordance with UBC's financial statements.

 

4.4 The Parties acknowledge and agree that the Sponsor will provide in-kind contributions equivalent to $45,000 as set out in Schedule "A"

 

5.0 CONFIDENTIALITY

 

5.1 The Recipient will keep and use the Discloser's Confidential Information in confidence and will not, without the Discloser's prior written consent, disclose the Discloser's Confidential Information to any person or entity, except to the Recipient's directors, officers, employees, faculty, students and professional advisors who require the Confidential Information to assist the Recipient in performing its obligations and exercising its rights under this Agreement.

 

 

 

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5.2 A Recipient required by judicial or administrative process to disclose the Discloser's Confidential Information will promptly notify the Discloser and allow it reasonable time to oppose the process before disclosing the Confidential Information.

 

5.3 The Sponsor requires of UBC, and to the extent permitted by law UBC agrees, that this Agreement, and each part of it, is confidential and will not be disclosed to third parties. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Article 5.0, the Parties acknowledge and agree that either Party may identify the title of the Project, the Parties to this Agreement, the name of the Investigator, the Contract Period and the amount of funding provided by the Sponsor for the Project.

 

5.4 Notwithstanding any termination or expiration of this Agreement, the obligations set out in this Article 5.0 survive and continue to bind the Parties, their successors and assigns until 10 years after such termination or expiration.

 

6.0 PUBLICATION

 

6.1 UBC is not restricted from presenting at symposia, national or regional professional meetings, or from publishing in journals or other publications, results from the Project, provided that the Sponsor is provided with copies of the proposed disclosure at least 60 calendar days before the submission of the presentation or publication and does not, within 30 calendar days after delivery of the proposed disclosure, give notice to UBC indicating that it objects to the proposed disclosure.

 

6.2 The Sponsor may object to the proposed disclosure on the grounds that (i) it contains Confidential Information that was disclosed to UBC by the Sponsor; or (ii) that it discloses patentable subject matter concerning Technology or Improvements which needs protection. If the Sponsor makes objection on the grounds of the inclusion of the Sponsor's Confidential Information, UBC will remove such Confidential Information immediately from the proposed disclosure, after which UBC is free to present and/or publish the proposed disclosure. If the Sponsor makes an objection on the grounds of protection of patentable subject matter concerning the Technology or Improvements, UBC will delay the proposed disclosure until the Sponsor has filed one or more patent applications with one or more patent offices directed to the Technology or Improvements (the "Delay"). A provisional patent application will be considered to be a patent application in the United States of America for the purposes of this Agreement. The Delay will be no longer than six (6) months from the date UBC delivered the proposed disclosure to the Sponsor, after which UBC is free to present and/or publish the proposed disclosure.

 

6.3 Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, the Parties acknowledge and agree that no delay is permitted for the defense of a student's thesis.

 

7.0 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 

7.1 The Sponsor acknowledges and agrees that UBC owns all right, title and interest in and to UBC Intellectual Property.

 

7.2 UBC acknowledges and agrees that the Sponsor owns all right, title and interest in and to the Technology and any Improvements, subject only to the rights granted to UBC under the Technology Assignment Agreement.

 

 

 

Page 5 of 12

 

 

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8.0       INTENTIONALLY DELETED.

 

9.0 TERM

 

9.1 This Agreement will be effective from the Effective Date for the full duration of the Contract Period unless terminated earlier under Article 10.0.

 

10.0 TERMINATION

 

10.1 Either Party may terminate this Agreement upon 30 calendar days prior written notice to the other.

 

10.2 If either Party commits any material breach or default of any terms or conditions of this Agreement and also fails to remedy such breach or default within 30 calendar days after receipt of a written notice from the other Party, the Party giving notice may terminate this Agreement by sending a notice of termination in writing to the Party in breach. This termination will be effective as of the date of the receipt of such notice. The termination may be in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity.

 

10.3 This Agreement may be terminated by UBC if the Sponsor is in breach of any other agreement between the Sponsor and UBC, which breach has not been cured within the time provided for the curing of such breach under the terms of such other agreement.

 

10.4 No termination of this Agreement, however effectuated, will release the Parties from their rights and obligations under Articles 4.3 (non-cancelable costs), 5.0 (Confidentiality), 7.0 (Intellectual Property), 10.5 (cessation of use of Confidential Information) and 12.0 (Indemnity).

 

10.5 Upon the termination of this Agreement, the Recipient will cease to use the Discloser's Confidential Information in any manner whatsoever and upon the written request of the Discloser, will deliver to the Discloser all of the Discloser's Confidential Information in the Recipient's possession or control.

 

10.6 The Parties may extend this Agreement in writing for additional periods under mutually agreeable terms and conditions. Said extension will be effective upon signature by both Parties.

 

11.0 DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY

 

11.1 UBC makes no representations or warranties, either express or implied, regarding data or other results arising from the Project or regarding Confidential Information UBC may disclose to the Sponsor. UBC specifically disclaims any implied warranty of non- infringement or merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and UBC will, in no event, be liable for any loss, whether direct, consequential, incidental or special or other similar damages arising from any defect, error or failure to perform, even if UBC has been advised of the possibility of such damages. The Sponsor acknowledges that the Project is of an experimental and exploratory nature, that no particular results can be guaranteed, and that the Sponsor has been advised by UBC to undertake its own due diligence with respect to all matters arising from this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

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12.0 INDEMNITY

 

12.1 The Sponsor indemnifies, holds harmless and defends UBC, its Board of Governors, directors, officers, employees, faculty, students, invitees and agents against any and all claims (including all reasonable legal fees and disbursements) arising out of the receipt or use by the Sponsor of any UBC's Confidential Information or any data or other results arising from the Project including, without limitation, any damages or losses, consequential or otherwise, arising from or out of the Project, however they may arise.

 

13.0 INSURANCE

 

13.1 UBC has liability insurance applicable to its directors, officers, employees, faculty, students and agents while acting within the scope of their employment by UBC. UBC has no liability insurance policy that can extend protection to any other person. Therefore, subject to Article 12.1 (Indemnity), each Party hereby assumes any risks of personal injury and property damage attributable to the negligent acts or omissions of that Party and its directors, officers, employees and agents, and where applicable faculty and students.

 

14.0 GOVERNING LAW

 

14.1 This Agreement is governed by, and will be construed in accordance with, the laws of British Columbia and the laws of Canada in force in that province, without regard to its conflict of law rules. The Parties agree that by executing this Agreement, they have attorned to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

 

15.0 ASSIGNMENT

 

15.1 Neither Party may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

16.0 NOTICES

 

16.1 All payments, reports and notices or other documents that a Party is required or may want to deliver to any other Party will be delivered:

 

(a) in writing; and

 

(b) either by personal delivery or by registered or certified mail (with all postage and other charges prepaid) at the address for the receiving Party as set out in Article 16.2 or as varied by any notice.

 

Any notice personally delivered is deemed to have been received at the time of delivery. Any notice mailed in accordance with this Article 16.1 is deemed to have been received at the end of the fifth business day after it is posted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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16.2 Addresses for delivery of notices:

 

Sponsor UBC
   
InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. Industry Contracts & Agreements Manager
Attn: Eric Adams University-Industry Liaison Office
Suite 340, 200 Granville Street #103 - 6190 Agronomy Road
Vancouver, British Columbia The University of British Columbia
Canada V6C 1S4 Vancouver, British Columbia
  Canada V6T 123
Telephone: (604) 306-6640 Telephone: (604) 822-8580
Email: eadams@inmedpharma.com Fax: (604) 822-8589

 

16.3 The Sponsor may direct questions of a scientific nature or regarding financial matters to UBC through the following contacts:

 

Scientific Matters Financial Matters
   
Dr. Vikramaditya G. Yadav Manager, Research Finance Office

Department of Chemical &

Biological Engineering

The University of British Columbia

4th Floor - TEF 3

The University of British Columbia 409 - 6190 Agronomy Road
207-2360 East Mall Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia Canada V6T 1Z3
Canada V6T 23  
Telephone: (604) 827-2706 Telephone: (604) 822-3275
Email: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Fax: (604) 822-2417

 

17.0     GENERAL

 

17.1 Nothing contained in this Agreement is to be deemed or construed to create between the Parties a partnership or joint venture. Neither Party has the authority to act on behalf of any other Party, or to commit the other Party in any manner at all or cause the other Party's name to be used in any way not specifically authorized by this Agreement. Neither Party may use the other Party's name, trademarks or insignia for any advertising or any promotional purposes, including but not limited to media releases, without the other Party's prior written consent.

 

17.2 Subject to the limitations in this Agreement, this Agreement operates for the benefit of and is binding on the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

17.3 No condoning, excusing or overlooking by either Party of any default, breach or non- observance by the other Party at any time or times regarding any terms of this Agreement operates as a waiver of that Party's rights under this Agreement. A waiver of any term, or right under this Agreement will be in writing signed by the Party entitled to the benefit of that term or right, and is effective only to the extent set out in the written waiver.

 

17.4 No exercise of a specific right or remedy by either Party precludes it from or prejudices it in exercising another right or pursuing another remedy or maintaining an action to which it may otherwise be entitled either at law or in equity.

 

 

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17.5 Headings in this Agreement are for reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement and are not be used in the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

17.6 All terms in this Agreement which require performance by the Parties after the expiry or termination of this Agreement, will remain in force despite this Agreement's expiry or termination for any reason.

 

17.7 Part or all of any Article that is indefinite, invalid, illegal or otherwise voidable or unenforceable, may be severed from this Agreement and the balance of this Agreement will continue in full force and effect.

 

17.8 At the request of UBC or the Sponsor, the non-requesting Party will obtain the execution of any agreement or instrument (including from its employees, agents, contractors, consultants or representatives) that may be required to consummate the transactions contemplated in this Agreement, including assigning any rights, waiving any rights or perfecting any rights in such Party's name.

 

17.9 This Agreement and the Schedules set out the entire understanding between the Parties and no changes to this Agreement are binding unless in writing and signed by the Parties to this Agreement. The Parties will be bound by the Schedules, except to the extent that they may conflict with the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement, in which case the terms and conditions of this Agreement will govern.

 

17.10 In this Agreement, unless the contrary intention appears, the singular includes the plural and vice versa and words importing a gender include other genders.

 

17.11 This Agreement may be executed in counterpart by the Parties, either through original copies or by facsimile or electronically each of which will be deemed an original and all of which will constitute the same instrument.

 

SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 9 of 12

 

 

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SIGNED BY THE PARTIES AS AN AGREEMENT effective as of the Effective Date.

 

SIGNED FOR AND ON BEHALF of

THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

by its duly authorized signatory:

 

/s/ Mario Kasapi

Name:  
Title:  
Date:  

 

/s/ Brad Wheeler

Date: 2018.08.16

09:49:48 -07’00’

 
Name: Brad Wheeler    
Title: Acting Associate  Director, University-Industry Liaison Office    
Date: August 16, 2018    

 

SIGNED FOR AND ON BEHALF of

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

by its duly authorized signatory:

/s/ Eric A. Adams    
Name: Eric A. Adams    
Title: CEO + President    
Date: 16 Aug 2018    

 

 

 

I have read and understood the foregoing Agreement and understand my responsibilities as the Investigator. I further confirm that I will not commence the performance of the Project until UBC receives the first payment from the Sponsor.

 

/s/ Dr. Vikramaditya G. Yadav  
Name: Dr. Vikramaditya G. Yadav  
Title: Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering  
Date: August 15, 2018  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 10 of 12

 

 

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SCHEDULE "A"

 

RESEARCH PROPOSAL AND BUDGET

 

(see attached NSERC Application)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 11 of 12

 
 

   
  For NSERC office use only
   
   
   

   

Form 101 - Application for a Grant

Send to NSERC with your attachments, if applicable

 

[*] 

 

 

 

 

 

[*] = Certain confidential information contained in this document, marked by brackets, has been omitted because it is both (i) not material and (ii) would be competitively harmful if publicly disclosed.

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UBC File: F18-01776

 

 

SCHEDULE "B"

 

TECHNOLOGY ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

 

 

The Technology Assignment Agreement is attached hereto.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 12 of 12

 

 

 
 

 

 

[*] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED BECAUSE IT IS BOTH (i) NOT MATERIAL AND (ii) WOULD BE COMPETITIVELY HARMFUL IF PUBLICLY DISCLOSED.

 

 

UBC File No. 18-0114

 

 

TECHNOLOGY ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is made as of the 31st day of May 2017 (the "Effective Date”)

BETWEEN:

THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, a corporation continued under the University Act of British Columbia with offices at #103-6190 Agronomy Road, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3

("UBC")

AND:

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC., a corporation incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, with a registered office at 350- 409 Granville St., Vancouver, BC, V6C 1T2

(the "Assignee")

WHEREAS:

A.        UBC has been engaged in research sponsored by the Assignee during the course of which it has invented, developed and/or acquired certain technology relating to the metabolic engineering of yeast and bacteria for synthesis of cannabinoids and cannabis-derived terpenoids, which research was undertaken by Prof. Vikramaditya Yadav (the "Investigator") in the UBC Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering whether prior to, during or after the Contract Period set out in the Collaborative Research Agreement dated May 22, 2015 (collectively, “Sponsored Research’’);

B.        It is UBC's objective to exploit its technology for the public benefit, and to generate further research in a manner consistent with its status as a non-profit, tax exempt educational institution; and

C.       UBC and the Assignee have agreed to an assignment of UBC’s right, title, and interest in the Technology and Improvements (as defined below) from UBC to the Assignee on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement.

THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

1.0       Definitions:

1.1       In this Agreement:

(a) “Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified person, any other person that directly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified person. For the purposes of this Article 1.1(a), “control’’ shall mean:
(i) in the case of corporate entities, the direct or indirect ownership of at least 50% of the stock or participating shares entitled to vote in the general meeting of shareholders, and

 

  2

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(ii) in the case of a partnership or other legal entity, ownership of at least 50% interest in the income or at least a 50% interest in the power to direct the management or policies of such entity;
(b) "Confidential Information" means any information relating to the Technology, the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and any and all oral, written, electronic or other communications and other information disclosed or provided by the Assignee pursuant to this Agreement, including all business records and financial information, which is non-public, confidential or proprietary in nature, whether written, oral or in electronic form, but excluding any part of the Information:
(i) published or available to the general public otherwise than through a breach of this Agreement;
(ii) obtained by UBC from a third party with a valid right to disclose it, provided that said third party is not known by UBC to be under a confidentiality obligation to the Assignee; or
(iii) independently developed by employees, agents or consultants of UBC who had no knowledge of or access to the Confidential Information as evidenced by its business records.
(c) “Field” means the metabolic engineering of yeast and bacteria for synthesis of cannabinoids and cannabis-derived terpenoids;
(d) "Improvements" means improvements, variations, updates, modifications, and enhancements made and/or acquired at any time after the Effective Date by:
(i) the Investigator while employed at UBC, or
(ii) jointly, by the Investigator while employed at UBC, and the Assignee or any licensees of the Assignee,

directly relating to the Technology and within the Field;

(e) “Improvement Patents" means patents and patent applications that claim Improvements;
(f) "Licensing Revenue" means all revenues, receipts, monies, and the fair market value of any shares or other securities and all other consideration directly or indirectly collected or received whether by way of cash, credit or other value received by the Assignee under each agreement relating to a license, assignment, grant or transfer of the Assignee’s rights in the Technology and/or any Improvements, and/or any Products whether by way of license, assignment development agreement or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing Licensing Revenue will include all:
(i) milestone payments, royalties, license fees, option fees, and the fair market value of all consideration received in connection with any sublicense, assignment, grant or transfer of the Assignee’s rights in the Technology or any Improvements, and/or any Products, and

 

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(ii) research or development fees in excess of the direct reimbursement for the actual costs of such research and development incurred by the Assignee under a written research plan and agreement,

received by the Assignee from any licensee or assignee relating to the Assignee’s rights in the Technology, Improvements or any Products, less reimbursement of research and development costs and patent costs.

For clarity, Licensing Revenue shall not include:

(iii) any equity investment made by a third party to purchase shares of the Assignee;
(iv) loans to the Assignee from a licensee or assignee, except to the extent that the interest charged for same is less than fair market value (in which case such difference shall be Licensing Revenue) or to the extent that the principal of same is forgiven (in which case such forgiven amount shall be Licensing Revenue); and
(v) any Sales Revenue;
(g) "Patents" means collectively:
(i) the United States patents and patent applications identified in Schedule "A",
(ii) ail United States patents issued from the patent applications identified in Schedule “A",
(iii) all United States counterparts, continuations, divisionals, continuing prosecution applications, and requests for continued examinations, extensions, term restorations, renewals, reissues, re-examinations, or substitutions of the patents and patent applications identified in Schedule "A",
(iv) all Canadian and international patent applications corresponding to those described in paragraphs (i) and (iii) above,
(v) all Canadian and foreign patent applications, including supplementary protection certificates and other administrative protections corresponding to those described in paragraphs (i) and (iii) above, and
(vi) all Canadian, international and foreign counterpart patents resulting from any of the patent applications described in paragraphs (iv) and (v) above,

all of which will be deemed added, from time to time, to Schedule “A";

(h) "Product(s)" means a product, the manufacture or sale of which would, but for the license granted herein, infringe a Valid Claim of one or more of the Patents and/or the Improvement Patents in the country of manufacture or sale;
(i) "Royalty Due Dates" means the last day of March, June, September and December of each year during the Royalty Term;

 

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(j) "Royalty Term” starts on the Effective Date and ends on the expiry of the last Valid

Claim under the Patents or Improvement Patents assigned under this Agreement;

(k) "Sales Revenue" means all revenues, receipts, money, and the fair market value of any shares or other securities, or other consideration directly or indirectly collected or received whether by way of cash, credit or other value received by the Assignee (but not including monies collected from any licensee or assignee of the Assignee) from the marketing, manufacturing, sale, use or distribution of any Products, less the following deductions to the extent included in the amounts invoiced and thereafter actually allowed and taken:
(i) credit, allowances or refunds given on account of returned goods,
(ii) transportation charges invoiced separately and actually charged to third parties,
(iii) direct sales taxes and customs duties applied on the sales of Products,
(iv) agents’ commissions paid by the Licensee for the sale of Products, and
(v) bona fide special rebates provided by the Licensee for Products purchased by third parties.

For clarity, Sales Revenue shall not include any equity investment made by a third party to purchase shares of the Assignee;

(l) "Technology'' means the Patents and all work product arising from the Sponsored Research in the Field as described in Schedule "A”; and
(m) “Valid Claim” means:
(i) a claim of a pending patent application, provided that the patent application has not been pending for longer than seven (7) years after the date from which such application claims priority, and

(ii)       a claim of an issued, unexpired patent,

that has not been:

(iii) permanently revoked or held invalid, unpatentable or unenforceable by a final decision of a court or governmental agency of competent jurisdiction, which decision is unappealable or was not appealed within the time allowed therefor, or
(iv) admitted in writing to be invalid or unenforceable by the holder(s) by reissue, disclaimer or otherwise.

2.0       Assignment of the Technology and Improvements:

2.1       Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, UBC agrees to transfer,

sell and assign on the Closing Date to the Assignee all of UBC's right, title and interest in and to the Technology.

 

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2.2       Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, UBC agrees to transfer sell and assign to the Assignee all of UBC’s right, title, and interest in and to any Improvements.

2.3       Notwithstanding Articles 2.1 or 2.2 above, the Assignee hereby:

(a) grants to UBC a world-wide, fully paid-up, non-exclusive license to use the Technology and any Improvements without charge in any manner whatsoever for research, scholarly publication, educational and other non-commercial use; and
(b) acknowledges and agrees that UBC and its faculty, researchers and students, shall not be restricted from presenting at symposia, national or regional professional meetings, or from publishing in journals or other publications accounts of their research relating to the Technology or any Improvements, provided that the Assignee is provided with copies of the proposed disclosure at least 60 days before the presentation or publication date and does not, within 30 days after delivery of the proposed disclosure, give notice to UBC indicating that it objects to the proposed disclosure. The Assignee may object to the proposed disclosure on the grounds that (i) it contains Confidential Information that was disclosed to UBC by the Assignee; or (ii) that it discloses patentable subject matter which needs protection. If the Assignee makes objection on the grounds of the inclusion of the Assignee’s Confidential Information, UBC will remove such Confidential Information immediately from the proposed disclosure, after which UBC shall be free to present and/or publish the proposed disclosure. If the Assignee makes an objection on the grounds of protection of patentable subject matter. UBC will delay the proposed disclosure until Assignee has filed one or more patent applications with one or more patent offices directed to such patentable subject matter (the “Delay”). A provisional patent application will be considered to be a patent application in the United States of America for the purposes of this Agreement. The Delay will be no longer than six (6) months from the date UBC delivers the proposed disclosure to the Assignee, after which UBC shall be free to present and/or publish the proposed disclosure. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, the Parties acknowledge and agree that no delay shall be permitted for the defense of a student’s thesis.

The rights granted to UBC pursuant to this Article 2.3 shall be irrevocable, royalty-free and perpetual.

3.0       Payment to UBC for Assignment:

3.1       In consideration for the assignment of the Technology and any Improvements to the Assignee, the Assignee will pay to UBC, on a calendar quarterly basis, a royalty of [*]% of all Sales Revenues and a royalty of [*]% of all Licensing Revenues.

3.2       Royalties shall be payable on sales of Products in each country until the expiration of the last Valid Claim under the Patents or the Improvements Patents applicable to such Product in that country. For greater clarity it is confirmed that if a Product is covered by a Valid Claim in the country of manufacture, then the royalty rate set out in Article 3.1 is applicable to the Sales Revenues received from the sale or use of the Product in all countries to which such Product is exported regardless of whether the Product is covered by a Valid Claim in the country of use or sale.

 

 

[*] = Certain confidential information contained in this document, marked by brackets, has been omitted because it is both (i) not material and (ii) would be competitively harmful if publicly disclosed.

 

 

 

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3.3       The calculation of sales of Products shall be adjusted for combination products and generic competition. If the Assignee obtains a license under any third party patent rights which in the Assignee’s reasonable judgement is desirable or necessary to develop or commercialize the Product, then the Assignee may deduct from the royalties payable under Article 3.1 an amount equal to 50% of the royalty payments payable to such third party on a country by country basis for the applicable calendar quarter. If a generic equivalent of a Product is launched in a country, the royalties payable in such country shall be reduced by 50%. In no situation will the calculations made under this Article 3.3 reduce the royalties payable to UBC under Article 3.1 by more than 50% in any country.

3.4       The royalty is due and payable within 30 days after each respective Royalty Due Date and is to be calculated with respect to the Sales Revenue and Licensing Revenue in the 3-month period immediately before the applicable Royalty Due Date.

3.5       All royalties paid by the Assignee to UBC under this Agreement will be in Canadian dollars without any reduction or deduction of any nature or kind at all. If the Assignee receives any Sales Revenue or Licensing Revenue in a currency other than Canadian dollars, the currency will be converted to the equivalent in Canadian dollars on the date that any amount is payable to UBC, at the rate of exchange set by the Bank of Montreal for buying Canadian dollars with such currency. The amount of Canadian dollars resulting from the conversion is to be included in Sales Revenue or Licensing Revenue.

3.6       Products are deemed to have been sold by the Assignee and included in the Sales Revenue when invoiced, delivered, shipped, or paid for, whichever is the first.

3.7       Any transaction, disposition, or other dealing involving all or part of the Technology or any Improvements or Products, between the Assignee and another person (other than the Assignee’s Affiliates) that is not made at fair market value is deemed to have been made at fair market value, and the fair market value of the transaction, disposition, or other dealing will be added to and deemed part of the Sales Revenue, and will be included in the calculation of royalties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Sales Revenue shall not include and no royalties will be payable on Products used for research and development of the Products or the Technology or any Improvements for which the Assignee does not receive consideration, such as but not limited to dispositions for clinical trials, marketing, research use and compassionate use or for other similar uses.

3.8       No royalties shall be payable on Licensing Revenue paid to the Assignee by its Affiliates, but royalties shall be payable on the Licensing Revenue of the Assignee’s Affiliates from a third party.

4.0       Disclaimer of Warranty:

4.1       UBC makes no representations, conditions or warranties, either express or

implied, regarding the Technology or any Improvements. Without limitation, UBC specifically disclaims any implied warranty, condition or representation that the Technology or any Improvements:

(a)       corresponds with a particular description;

(b)       is of merchantable quality;

(c)       is fit for a particular purpose; or

 

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(d) is durable for a reasonable period of time.

4.2       UBC is not liable for any loss, whether direct, consequential, incidental or special, which the Assignee or other third parties suffer arising from any defect, error or fault of the Technology or any Improvements, or its failure to perform, even if UBC is aware of the possibility of the defect, error, fault or failure. The Assignee acknowledges that it has been advised by UBC to undertake its own due diligence regarding the Technology or any Improvements.

4.3       Nothing in this Agreement:

(a) constitutes a warranty or representation by UBC as to title to the Technology or any Improvements, or that anything made, used, sold or otherwise disposed of with respect to, or using the Technology or any Improvements, will not infringe the patents, copyrights, trade-marks, industrial designs or other intellectual property rights of any third parties, or any patents, copyrights, trade-marks, industrial design or other intellectual property rights owned, in whole or in part, by UBC, or licensed by UBC to any third parties;
(b) constitutes an express or implied warranty or representation by UBC that the Assignee has, or will have, the freedom to operate or practice the Technology or any Improvements, or the freedom to make, have made, use, sell or otherwise dispose of Products;
(c) imposes an obligation on UBC to bring, prosecute or defend actions or suits against third parties for infringement of patents, copyrights, trade-marks, industrial designs or other intellectual property or contractual rights; or
(d) confers the right to use in any advertising or publicity the name of UBC or any UBC trade-marks, service mark, logo, insignia, seal, design, symbol, or device used by UBC in relation to the Technology or any Improvements or anything made used, sold or otherwise disposed of by the Assignee with respect to the Technology or any Improvements.

5.0       Patents:

5.1       The Assignee will manage the patent portfolio of the Patents and any

Improvement Patents and may identify any patentable Improvement and the Assignee shall take reasonable steps to apply for an Improvement Patent. The Assignee shall pay all costs of applying for, registering and maintaining the Patents and Improvement Patents. UBC will on request and without payment, do such further acts and execute and deliver to the Assignee such assignments, applications and documents as the Assignee or its counsel may reasonably request or deem necessary and desirable to:

(a) evidence, give effect to and complete the assignment of the Patents and Improvement Patents; and
(b) obtain any Patents and Improvement Patents, copyrights or other protection in the Technology required to protect the interests of the Assignee therein.

 

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6.0       Indemnity and Limitation of Liability:

6.1       The Assignee indemnifies, holds harmless and defends UBC and its Board of Governors, officers, employees, faculty, students, invitees and agents against any and all claims (including all associated legal fees and disbursements actually incurred) arising out of the use, or exercise, of any rights with respect to the Technology or any Improvements by the Assignee, including without limitation agaihst any damages or losses, consequential or otherwise, arising in any manner at all from or out of the use of the Technology or any Improvements by the Assignee or its customers, licensees, sublicensees, agents, collaborators, Affiliates or their customers or end users.

6.2       The Assignee acknowledges and agrees that:

(a) that the assignment of the Technology hereunder is on an “as is" basis, and that the Assignee has conducted its own due diligence with respect to the Technology and any Improvements;
(b) UBC's total liability, whether under the express or implied terms of this Agreement, in tort (including negligence) or at common law, for any loss or damage suffered by the Assignee, whether direct, indirect or special, or any other similar damage that may arise or does arise from any breaches of this Agreement by UBC or its Board of Governors, officers, employees, faculty, students or agents, is limited to the amount of CDN$1,000.

7.0       Assignee’s Warrantees:

7.1       In order to induce UBC to enter into this Agreement, the Assignee hereby represents and warrants to UBC that:

(a) the Assignee is a company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of British Columbia;
(b) the Assignee has all necessary corporate power, authority and capacity to acquire the Technology and any Improvements and perform its obligations pursuant to this Agreement;
(c) the execution and delivery of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Assignee; and
(d) the Assignee is not a party to, bound by or subject to any license, agreement, instrument, statute, regulation, order, judgment, decree or law which would be violated, contravened or breached by or under which any default would occur as a result of the execution of and delivery by the Assignee of this Agreement or the performance by the Assignee of any of its terms.

8.0       Accounting Records, Reports & Notices:

8.1       All reports and notices or other documents that a party is required or may want to deliver to the other party will be delivered in writing either by personal delivery or by registered or certified mail at the address for the receiving party set out on page one of this Agreement or as varied by any notice. Any notice personally delivered shall be deemed to have been received at the time of delivery. Any notice mailed in accordance with this Article 8.1 shall be deemed to have been received at the end of the fifth day after it is posted.

 

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8.2       The Assignee will maintain at its principal place of business, or another place as may be most convenient, separate accounts and records of all Sales Revenues and all business done by the Assignee in connection with the Technology, Improvements and Products. The accounts and records will be in sufficient detail to enable proper returns to be made under this Agreement and the Assignee will cause its licensees, transferees and assignees to keep similar accounts and records.

8.3       The Assignee will complete and deliver to UBC on or before each and every Royalty Due Date a report in a form sufficient to verify accurately and completely the Sales Revenue, together with a calculation of the royalty payable under this Agreement (a "Payment Report"). Each Payment Report will include, without limitation:

(a)       a list of each Product by name and description;

(b)        sales of each Product by country of sales, including the number of units sold, price per unit, and any deductions taken from gross revenue;

 

(c)       the method of calculation of any currency conversion; and

(d)       the method by which the royalty amount is calculated;

and be signed by a senior officer of the Assignee to verify the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in the Payment Report.

8.4       The calculation of all payments due to UBC under this Agreement will be carried out in accordance with generally accepted Canadian accounting principles applied on a consistent basis.

8.5       The Assignee will retain the accounts and records referred to in this Article 8 for at least six (6) years from when they were made and will permit any duly authorized representative of UBC to inspect, at UBC's expense, the accounts and records during the Assignee’s normal business hours. The Assignee will provide to the representative all reasonable evidence necessary to verify the accounts and records and will allow copies to be made of the accounts, records and agreements. If an inspection of the Assignee's records by UBC shows an under-reporting or underpayment by the Assignee of any amount to UBC by

more than 5% for any 12 month period, then the Assignee will reimburse UBC for the cost of the inspection as well as pay to UBC any amount tound due (including any Interest) within 30 days of notice by UBC to the Assignee.

8.6       UBC agrees that the information set forth in the Payment Reports and the accounts and records subject to inspection under Section 8.5 shall be subject to the obligations of confidentiality set out in Article 9 and shall be maintained in confidence by UBC and its representatives, shall not be used for any purpose other than verification of the Assignee’s performance hereunder, and shall not be disclosed to any other person except for purposes of enforcing this Agreement.

9.0       Confidentiality

9.1       The Assignee’s Confidential Information shall be received and used by UBC

solely in furtherance of the purposes set forth in this Agreement subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Article 9.

 

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9.2       UBC shall keep and use all of the Assignee’s Confidential Information in confidence and will not, without the Assignee's prior written consent, disclose any of the Assignee's Confidential Information to any person or entity, except those of UBC's officers, employees, faculty, students, consultants and professional advisors who require such Confidential Information in performing their obligations under this Agreement.

9.3       UBC shall not use, either directly or indirectly, any of the Assignee’s Confidential Information for any purpose other than as contemplated herein without the Assignee’s prior written consent.

9.4       If UBC is required by judicial or administrative process to disclose any or all of the Assignee's Confidential Information, UBC shall promptly notify the Assignee and, when available allow the Assignee reasonable time to oppose such process before disclosing any such Confidential Information.

9.5       Notwithstanding any termination or expiration of this Agreement, the obligations created in this Article 9 shall survive and be binding upon UBC and its successors and assigns.

10.0       Further Assignment:

10.1       The Assignee will not assign this Agreement, or sell, transfer or assign, or license on a royalty-free basis fora prepaid amount, the Technology and/or any Improvements or any part thereof (each, a “Transfer") to any other party (a “Third Party”) without the prior written consent of UBC, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed by UBC, and provided that UBC will grant such consent if:

(a) the Assignee acknowledges that all rights granted in this Agreement to UBC shall survive any such Transfer until superseded by the agreement described in paragraph (b) below; and
(b) that the Third Party shall on closing of the Transfer execute a written agreement, in a form approved by UBC, which provides that the Third Party covenants and agrees with UBC to assume and adopt as its own obligation the covenants and obligations of the Assignee under this Agreement.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, UBC agrees that the Assignee shall have the right to sell, transfer or assign, or license on a royalty-free basis for a prepaid amount, the Technology and/or any Improvements or any part thereof to an Affiliate, provided that such Affiliate shall accept an assignment and assumption of this Agreement, and assume and adopt as its own obligations the covenants and obligations of the Assignee under this Agreement.

11.0       General:

11.1       This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia.

11.2       The Assignee will pay all taxes and any related interest or penalty howsoever designated and imposed as a result of the existence or operation of this Agreement. All amounts and consideration specified as payable by the Assignee to UBC in this Agreement are exclusive of taxes. If UBC is required to collect a tax to be paid by the Assignee, the Assignee will pay such tax to UBC on demand.

 

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11.3       Nothing contained in this Agreement is to be deemed or construed to create between the parties a partnership or joint venture. Neither party has the authority to act on behalf of any other party, or to commit the other party in any manner at all or cause the other party's name to be used in any way not specifically authorized by this Agreement.

11.4       Subject to the limitations in this Agreement, this Agreement operates for the benefit of and is binding on the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

11.5       No condoning, excusing or overlooking by any party of any default, breach or non-observance by any other party at any time or times regarding any terms of this Agreement operates as a waiver of that party's rights under this Agreement. A waiver of any term, or right under, this Agreement will be in writing signed by the party entitled to the benefit of that term or right, and is effective only to the extent set out in the written waiver.

11.6       No exercise of a specific right or remedy by any party precludes it from or prejudices it in exercising another right or pursuing another remedy or maintaining an action to which it may otherwise be entitled either at law or in equity.

11.7       All terms which require performance by the parties after the expiry or termination of this Agreement, will remain in force despite this Agreement's expiry or termination for any reason.

11.8       Part or all of any Article that is indefinite, invalid, illegal or otherwise voidable or unenforceable may be severed and the balance of this Agreement will continue in full force and effect.

11.9       This Agreement sets out the entire understanding between the parties and no changes are binding unless signed in writing by the parties to this Agreement.

11.10       Time is of the essence of this Agreement.

11.11       This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (either originally or by facsimile), each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument,

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

 

 
 

 

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SCHEDULE “A"

DESCRIPTION OF THE TECHNOLOGY AND MATERIALS

The "Technology” shall include:

1.       the following patent application:

(a) United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62344248 entitled “Metabolic Engineering of Cannabinoids” submitted June 1,2016;
and

2.       all work product arising prior to the Effective Date from the Sponsored Research created or developed by Dr. Vikramaditya G. Yadav, Dr. Protiva Roy, Dr. Sandip V. Pawar. Dr. Sarvesh Kumar, Daniel Korvin and any UBC employees working in the UBC laboratory of Dr. Vikramaditya G. Yadav, whether alone or with others, including Dr. Sazzad Hossain, whether prior to, during or after the Contract Period set out in the Collaborative Research Agreement between UBC and the Assignee dated May 22, 2015 (including intellectual property classified as UBC Intellectual Property or Joint Intellectual Property under the Collaborative Research Agreement) relating to or having application to the metabolic engineering of yeast and bacteria for synthesis of cannabinoids and cannabis-derived terpenoids, including, without limitation:

(a) any and all discoveries, developments, enhancements, improvements, concepts, designs, strategies, formulas, processes, ideas, writings, and other works, whether or not reduced to practice and whether or not protectable under patent, copyright, trade secret or similar laws, including, without limitation, designs and strategies for recombinant DNA vectors and other nucleic acid constructs, and transformed bacteria and yeast cells; and
(b) all information, protocols, procedures, specifications, results, data, formulae , unpatented inventions, manufacturing information, technical dossiers, drawings, regulatory records and quality system documentation, including, without limitation, experimental protocols, experimental data, process development data, manufacturing protocols, manufacturing data, process conditions, formulae for cell culture and fermentation media, isolation and purification protocols, technical analyses, technical reports, formulation records, toxicological assay results, test procedures, test results and the contents of laboratory notebooks.
 
 

AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO TECHNOLOGY ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDMENT AGREEMENT dated for reference as of the 31st day of May, 2017 (the “Effective Date )

BETWEEN:

THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, a corporation continued under the University Act of British Columbia with offices at #103-6190 Agronomy Road, Vancouver, British Columbia,

V6T 1Z3

("UBC")

AND:

INMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC., a corporation incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, with a registered office at #350-409 Granville St., Vancouver, BC, V6C 1T2

(the "Assignee")

WHEREAS:

A.       UBC and the Assignee have entered into a Technology Assignment Agreement dated May 31, 2017, referenced as UBC File No. 18-0014 (the "Assignment Agreement’’); and

B.       UBC and the Assignee desire to amend the Assignment Agreement on the terms and conditions set out in this Amendment Agreement;

NOW THEREFORE the parties hereby agree as follows:

1.       Definitions

Capitalized words and expressions used in this Amendment Agreement (including the recitals to this Agreement) that are defined in the Assignment Agreement and not otherwise defined in this Amendment Agreement shall have the meanings given to them in the Assignment Agreement.

2.       Amendment to Definition of “Improvements”

The Assignment Agreement is hereby amended as of the Effective Date by deleting Section 1.1(d) and substituting therefor the following:

“(d)      "Improvements" means improvements, variations, updates, modifications, and enhancements made and/or acquired at any time after the Effective Date by:

(i) the Investigator, Dr. Protiva Roy, Dr. Sandip V. Pawar. Dr. Sarvesh Kumar, Daniel Korvin and any UBC employees working in the UBC laboratory of the Investigator (collectively, the “Yadav Lab Researchers”) while employed at UBC, or
(ii) jointly, by any of the Yadav Lab Researchers while employed at UBC and the Assignee or any licensees of the Assignee,

directly relating to the Technology and within the Field;”

 

 

 

 

-2-

3.       Other Terms Unchanged

Except as expressly amended hereby, all other terms and conditions of the Assignment Agreement remain unchanged and in full force and effect.

4.       General Provisions

(a) This Amendment Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia.
(b) Subject to the limitations in the Assignment Agreement, this Amendment Agreement operates for the benefit of and is binding on the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
(c) Part or all of any section that is indefinite, invalid, illegal or otherwise voidable or unenforceable may be severed and the balance of this Amendment Agreement will continue in full force and effect.
(d) This Amendment Agreement sets out the entire understanding between the parties and no changes are binding unless signed in writing by the parties.
(e) This Amendment Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (either originally or by facsimile), each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Amendment Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 23.1

 

LOGO

KPMG LLP

PO Box 10426 777 Dunsmuir Street

Vancouver BC V7Y 1K3

Canada

Telephone (604) 691-3000

Fax (604) 691-3031

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.:

We, KPMG LLP, consent to the use of our report dated March 27, 2020, on the consolidated financial statements of InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. and subsidiaries, which comprise the consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended June 30, 2019, and the related notes, included herein and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the prospectus.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Chartered Professional Accountants

Vancouver, Canada

June 19, 2020

KPMG LLP is a Canadian limited liability partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of

independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a

Swiss entity. KPMG Canada provides services to KPMG LLP.